Malnutrition Screening and Dietary Intervention to Improve Nutrition Outcomes in Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer
About
This clinical trial compares the effect of malnutrition screening and dietary intervention to standard nutrition care on patients with pancreatic cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable). Fewer than 20% of patients diagnosed with unresectable pancreatic cancer do not survive one year after diagnosis so treatment often focuses on improving quality of life. Many patients experience increasing pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness. Behavioral interventions use techniques to help patients change the way they react to environmental triggers that may cause a negative reaction. Screening for inadequate nutrition (malnutrition) and providing weekly nutritional support may be effective methods to improve nutritional status and improve overall quality of life for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, receiving either 1) no chemotherapy, 2) 1st cycle of chemotherapy, or 3) greater than 1 cycle of chemotherapy if the patient's prognosis is greater than 6 months as determined by oncology collaborators
- Life expectancy of greater than 3 months and a Karnofsky performance score of 60 or more
- Adults >= 18 years old male or female
Exclusion Criteria:
- Ascites requiring paracentesis for symptom improvement
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal
- Creatinine value greater than 2.0 for men and 1.5 for women
- Uncontrolled pain
- Uncontrolled nausea and vomiting
Join this Trial
- UCLA Westwood