What does this research mean for the field?

A high prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition (28.4%) is observed among newly diagnosed cancer patients in a tertiary care center in Kerala. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

March 13, 2026Open Access

Nutritional Assessment of Cancer Patients: A Study from a Tertiary Cancer Care Center in Kerala

SPSanudev Sadanandan Vadakke PuthiyottilGovernment Medical College SNSidharth NarayananGovernment Medical College AEArathi EdayattilGovernment Medical College

Key Points

The study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition in newly diagnosed cancer patients using the PG-SGA tool.
Cross-sectional design conducted at a tertiary cancer care center
Included 95 newly diagnosed cancer patients
Collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data
Nutritional status assessed using the PG-SGA tool
70% of cancer patients experienced some degree of malnutrition
20% had a body mass index indicating malnutrition
75.8% had anemia and 32.6% had hypoalbuminemia
Categories: 20% well nourished, 51.6% mildly to moderately nourished, 28.4% severely malnourished

Abstract

Abstract Around 70% of cancer patients have some degree of malnutrition. Malnutrition accounts for 20% of cancer deaths. Proper nutritional screening and intervention improve patient outcomes, treatment tolerability, and quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of cancer patients using the PG-SGA tool and to find out the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition in newly diagnosed cancer patients using the PG-SGA tool in patients registered in a tertiary care setting in Kerala. This cross-sectional study included 95 newly diagnosed cancer patients from a tertiary cancer center in Kerala. All the demographic, clinical, and laboratory details were collected. Nutritional status was assessed using the PG-SGA tool. Scoring and staging were done accordingly, and patients were categorized as well nourished, mildly to moderately nourished, and severely malnourished. The median age of the cohort was 58 years, with a male predominance (57%). Comorbid conditions were present in 40% of patients. The mean dietary intake was found to be 1,800 kcal/day, with an average protein intake of 65 g/day. Twenty-five percent of patients had a low body mass index. Anemia was present in 75.8% of patients, and hypoalbuminemia in 32.6%. Gastrointestinal malignancy was the most common, followed by breast and genitourinary cancers. According to the PG-SGA tool staging, 20%, 51.6%, and 28.4% were well nourished, mildly to moderately nourished, and severely malnourished, respectively. A high prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition was observed among newly diagnosed cancer patients in our study, highlighting the urgent need for early nutritional screening and personalized interventions. A dietician should be an integral part of the multidisciplinary care team for comprehensive assessment and management of malnutrition during and after therapy.

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