Nutritional Management in a Patient with Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Stomach: a Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: It is uncommon for breast cancer to metastasize to the stomach. However, when it does occur, nutritional support is indispensable, because gastric tumors are associated with nutritional complications, which worsen clinical outcomes. Case report: We report the case of a female patient diagnosed with breast adenocarcinoma that had metastasized to the bones, ovary, and stomach, who was hospitalized because of  clinical complications. During hospitalization, she presented severe weight loss and was classified as being at nutritional risk, as determined by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. Due to severe odynophagia, oral intake was not possible. Therefore, after consultation with the multidisciplinary team, the decision was made to insert a nasogastric tube. Conclusion: Nutritional therapy in patients with advanced cancer still constitutes a dilemma facing professionals and needs to be discussed by a multidisciplinary team, the participation of the nutritionist, patient, and family being indispensable. Therefore, health care services must be prepared to manage nutritional therapy correctly, in order to promote better quality of life for such patients.