Nutritional status of patients with untreated cervical cancer. I. Biochemical and immunologic assessment.

A prospective nutritional evaluation of 78 patients with untreated cervical cancer was undertaken. Stage-related abnormal anthropometric measurements were present in 60% of patients. Abnormal biochemical nutritional measurements were found in 67% of patients. Thirty percent of these patients were anergic to usual skin test antigens. The overall incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition was 12.5%; however, the risk was stage-related. Measured parameters were usually adversely affected following a surgical procedure. Although surgical complications were few, the implications of these findings as to the appropriate method and timing of nutritional assessment as well as the possible benefit from nutritional support in malnourished patients with cervical cancer are discussed.