Comparison of Nutritional Supplements in Preventing Weight Loss in Patients With Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumor or lymphoma with no leukemic aspect
• •* Stage III or IV or any other stage associated with current metastatic disease at presentation
• •* No primary or metastatic brain tumors
• •Weight loss of at least 2% but no more than 10% within the past 3 months
• •No ascites
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age
• •17 and over
• •Performance status
• •Zubrod 0-2
• •Life expectancy
• •At least 3 months
• •Hematopoietic
• •Not specified
• •Hepatic
• •Not specified
• •Renal
• •No hypercalcemia
• •Cardiovascular
• •No persistent moderate or severe peripheral edema
• •No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• •Gastrointestinal
• •No enteric fistula
• •No concurrent intestinal obstruction
• •* Prior intestinal obstruction allowed
• •Other
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •No uncontrolled infections
• •No other serious medical illness
• •No metabolic disorder
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy
• •Not specified
• •Chemotherapy
• •Concurrent chemotherapy allowed
• •Endocrine therapy
• •No dexamethasone as an appetite stimulant
• •Intermittent dexamethasone during concurrent chemotherapy allowed
• •Radiotherapy
• •Concurrent radiotherapy allowed
• •Surgery
• •At least 1 week since prior minor surgery
• •At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery
• •Other
• •At least 30 days since prior total parenteral nutrition
• •No concurrent parenteral feedings
• •No concurrent known appetite stimulants (e.g., megestrol or dronabinol)
• •No concurrent omega 3 fatty acids or their congeners (e.g., ProSure™)
• •No concurrent amino acid supplements
• •Concurrent use of other dietary supplements (e.g., Ensure® or Boost) is allowed
• •Concurrent enteral feedings via PEG or nasogastric tube are allowed