Protein-calorie malnutrition in patients with colorectal cancer.

Protein-calorie malnutrition, as determined by anthropometric measures and laboratory tests, was assessed in 17 preoperative patients with colorectal cancer and 47 control patients. The cancer patients had significant deficits in visceral protein and skeletal muscle and no deficit in fat stores. Greater attention should be given to preoperative nutritional assessment and to the correction of protein deficits.