Folate and Its Impact on Cancer Risk.

Purpose Of Review: Research has evaluated the potential impact of folate on cancer risk with conflicting findings. Studies have demonstrated increased risk, no effect, and decreased risk. This review summarizes findings of mixed results between folate intake, serum levels, gene polymorphisms, and cancer risk based on meta-analyses from the past five years.

Assuring Quality of Dietary Supplements for Cancer Patients: An Integrative Formulary Systems Approach.

Context: The quality of dietary supplements is highly variable and, therefore, may pose unique risks to cancer patients, who increasingly use these products. Although they are highly regulated, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported extensive noncompliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), which further heightens concerns.

Objective: The study intended to investigate the dietary supplements quality practices of current and prospective suppliers of supplements.

Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine as Indicators of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in Cancer.

Background/aims: Normal or high serum vitamin B-12 levels can sometimes be seen in a B-12 deficient state, and can therefore be misleading. High levels of Methymalonic Acid (MMA) and Homocysteine (HC) have been identified as better indicators of B-12 deficiency than the actual serum B-12 level itself. We evaluated the prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency using appropriate cut-off levels of vitamin B-12, MMA and HC, and determined the relationship between serum levels of vitamin B-12, MMA and HC in cancer.

Outcomes of systematic nutritional assessment and medical nutrition therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: We investigated the nutritional and survival outcomes of medical nutrition therapy by a registered dietitian, along with support from a dedicated nutrition and metabolic support team in pancreatic cancer patients requiring enteral or parenteral nutrition.

Methods: Subjective global assessment (SGA) was used to assess nutritional status in 304 pancreatic cancer patients. Using baseline and last SGA, patients were categorized into 3 groups: improved SGA, deteriorated SGA, and unchanged SGA.

The association between pre-treatment serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer.

Background/aims: Emerging evidence in the literature suggests a positive association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a standard indicator of vitamin D status, and survival in certain types of cancer. We investigated this relationship in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 125 newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients underwent a baseline serum 25(OH)D evaluation prior to receiving any treatment at our institution between January 2008 and December 2011.

A longitudinal study investigating quality of life and nutritional outcomes in advanced cancer patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Background: In cancer patients where gastrointestinal function is marginal and malnutrition significant enough to result in the requirement for intensive nutrition support, parenteral nutrition (PN) is indicated. This longitudinal study examined the quality of life (QoL) and nutritional outcomes in advanced cancer patients receiving home PN (HPN).

Methods: Fifty-two adult cancer patients (21 males, 31 females, average age 53 years) treated at a specialized cancer facility between April 2009 and November 2011 met criteria.

The relationship between baseline nutritional status with subsequent parenteral nutrition and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising treatment option for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This retrospective study investigated the relationship between baseline nutritional assessment with subsequent parenteral nutritional (PN) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC.

Methods: A consecutive series of 60 patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC at our institution between January 2009 and May 2011.

Role of nutritional status in predicting quality of life outcomes in cancer--a systematic review of the epidemiological literature.

Malnutrition is a significant factor in predicting cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). We systematically reviewed the literature on the role of nutritional status in predicting QoL in cancer. We searched MEDLINE database using the terms "nutritional status" in combination with "quality of life" together with "cancer".

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among breast cancer survivors.

Background: Recent research has linked inadequate vitamin D levels with risk of breast cancer, but there are less data regarding the actual concentrations of vitamin D in women who have survived breast cancer. The objective of this study was to determine if vitamin D insufficiency is a prevalent problem for female breast cancer survivors who have completed treatment for breast cancer.

Methods: Ninety-nine breast cancer survivors and a control population of 54 women with no history of breast cancer participated in this study.

Role of nutritional status in predicting the length of stay in cancer: a systematic review of the epidemiological literature.

Background: Length of stay (LOS) has been used as a surrogate marker for patients' well-being during hospital treatment. We systematically reviewed all pertinent literature on the role of nutritional status in predicting LOS in cancer.

Methods: A systematic search of human studies published in English was conducted using the MEDLINE data base (all articles published as of December 2010).

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is inversely associated with body mass index in cancer.

Background: The association between vitamin D deficiency and obesity in healthy populations and different disease states remains unsettled with studies reporting conflicting findings. Moreover, current dietary recommendations for vitamin D do not take into account a person's body mass index (BMI). We investigated the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] and BMI in cancer.

Prevalence of serum vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in cancer: Review of the epidemiological literature.

Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with a variety of cancers, including prostate, multiple myeloma, colorectal and breast cancer. Several studies have shown vitamin D levels to have an inverse relation with cancer mortality, while others have considered it a potential risk factor. Vitamin D is believed to influence cancer prevalence, risk and survival; hence the need to assess vitamin D levels in cancer.

Impact of oral vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in oncology.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is the major circulating form of vitamin D and a standard indicator of vitamin D status. Emerging evidence in the literature suggests a high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D (as defined by serum 25(OH)D levels of <32 ng/ml) as well as an association between lower serum levels and higher mortality in cancer. We investigated the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation as a means for restoring suboptimal levels to optimal levels in cancer.

Longitudinal monitoring of CA125 levels provides additional information about survival in ovarian cancer.

Background: We investigated the prognostic impact of changes in serum CA125 levels during the first 3 months of therapy in ovarian cancer.

Methods: A case series of 170 ovarian cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Based on CA125 levels at baseline and 3 months, patients were classified into 4 groups: 1) Normal (0-35 U/ml) at baseline and three months; 2) High (>35 U/ml) at baseline, normal at three months; 3) Normal at baseline, high at 3 months; 4) High at baseline and three months.

Impact of improved nutritional status on survival in ovarian cancer.

Purpose: Malnutrition is a common occurrence in ovarian cancer and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the impact of improvement in nutritional status on ovarian cancer survival.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on a case series of 98 ovarian cancer patients.

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle in clinical practice: implications for prognosis in stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: A frequent manifestation of advanced lung cancer is malnutrition, timely identification and treatment of which can lead to improved patient outcomes. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy-to-use and non-invasive technique to evaluate changes in body composition and nutritional status. We investigated the prognostic role of BIA-derived phase angle in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Prevalence, sources, and predictors of soy consumption in breast cancer.

Background: A number of components in soy appear to have anticancer properties, including the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein. The use of soy by women with breast cancer is now being questioned because of the estrogen-like effects of isoflavones and possible interactions with tamoxifen. Clinicians providing nutrition counseling to these women are concerned because the availability of soy foods has increased dramatically in the past few years.

Can subjective global assessment of nutritional status predict survival in ovarian cancer?

Background: Malnutrition is a significant problem in patients with ovarian cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in patients with ovarian cancer treated in an integrative cancer treatment setting.

Methods: We evaluated a case series of 132 ovarian cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America(R) from Jan 2001 to May 2006.

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle as a prognostic indicator in breast cancer.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy-to-use, non-invasive, and reproducible technique to evaluate changes in body composition and nutritional status. Phase angle, determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), detects changes in tissue electrical properties and has been hypothesized to be a marker of malnutrition. Since malnutrition can be found in patients with breast cancer, we investigated the prognostic role of phase angle in breast cancer.

The relationship between bioelectrical impedance phase angle and subjective global assessment in advanced colorectal cancer.

Background: Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) derived phase angle is increasingly being used as an objective indicator of nutritional status in advanced cancer. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a subjective method of nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between BIA derived phase angle and SGA in advanced colorectal cancer.

Malnutrition was associated with poor quality of life in colorectal cancer: a retrospective analysis.

Background And Objective: Malnutrition is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in advanced colorectal cancer, and little is known about its relationship with quality of life (QoL). We investigated the relationship between nutritional status and QoL in colorectal cancer.

Methods: We examined a case series of 58 stage III-IV colorectal cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle as a prognostic indicator in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy-to-use, non-invasive and reproducible technique to evaluate changes in body composition and nutritional status. Phase angle, determined by BIA, has been found to be a prognostic indicator in several chronic conditions, such as HIV, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, and in patients undergoing dialysis. The present study investigated the prognostic role of phase angle in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle in clinical practice: implications for prognosis in advanced colorectal cancer.

Background: Phase angle, determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), detects changes in tissue electrical properties and has been found to be a prognostic indicator in several chronic conditions-such as HIV, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer-and in patients receiving dialysis.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic role of phase angle in advanced colorectal cancer.

Design: We evaluated a case series of 52 patients with histologically confirmed stage IV colorectal cancer.

Is serum albumin an independent predictor of survival in patients with breast cancer?

Background: The medical literature shows several examples of an inverse relationship between serum albumin levels and survival in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: We investigated the effect of baseline serum levels on 180 consecutively treated patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer from March 1993 to December 1999 at our institution. We investigated the effect of low levels of serum albumin (<3.