Gastrointestinal toxicity of chemotherapy and the influence of hyperalimentation.

The effect of combination chemotherapy on human small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities and their relation with clinical and chemical (fecal wet weight and K-excretion) parameters for gastrointestinal toxicity were evaluated in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma receiving enteral normoalimentation (NA). Also evaluated were the supposed protective effects on gastrointestinal toxicity of enteral hyperalimentation (HA) with an elemental diet. After chemotherapy, a comparable decrease in villus height, total mucosal height, and mitotic index was found in jejunal biopsy specimens of both groups.

Evaluation of gastrointestinal toxicity following cytostatic chemotherapy.

A number of clinical and chemical parameters related to the gastrointestinal tract in patients treated with intensive chemotherapy for disseminated malignant melanoma were evaluated in order to find quantitative indicators for gastrointestinal toxicity and to investigate the cause of diarrhea after chemotherapy. In 11 patients 17 courses of polychemotherapy with bleomycin, DTIC, vindesine, and actinomycin D were administered, while the patients received complete liquid enteral nutrition. As clinical parameters for toxicity the diarrhea grading system according to the WHO criteria and the daily fecal consistency were used.

The effect of continuous enteral tube feeding on various nutritional parameters in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma during intensive chemotherapy.

In a prospective study the effect of continuous enteral tube feeding was evaluated on various nutritional parameters in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma during 13 chemotherapy courses employing bleomycin, DTIC, vindesine and actinomycin D. The patients received a quantity of calories according to their pretreatment intake, but complete metabolic equilibrium could not be obtained during chemotherapy. Although the weight/height index remained unchanged, a decrease of serum albumin and prealbumin level occurred during all 13 treatment courses.

Effect of chemotherapy on taste sensation in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma.

The effect of combination chemotherapy (bleomycin, actinomycin D, vindesine and DTIC) on taste sensation in patients with malignant melanoma was evaluated. Five concentrations of 4 basic tastes (sweet, bitter, sour and salt) were tested. Lowest concentrations of all tastes were subjectively rated more intense after chemotherapy than before.