Oral Presentation Asia Pacific Neuroendocrine Tumour Society 2018

Nutritional aspects, including short gut syndrome (#11)

Erin Kennedy 1
  1. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

The pathophysiology of neuroendocrine tumours and their treatment can cause various symptoms with the potential to impact on nutritional factors such as vitamin synthesis and absorption, dietary habits, weight change and appetite. Patients with serotonin producing NETs and those on somatostatin analogue treatment are a risk of malabsorption syndromes, leading to potential deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins and niacin. Bowel resection leads to additional risk of malabsorption and malnutrition. Malnutrition and dietary modification is prevalent in NET patients, with up to 40-90% of patients reporting food intolerances or changing their diet to manage symptoms. Recent research has indicated that up to 38% of NET patients are at nutritional risk. Diarrhoea, flushing, abdominal pain and bloating are symptoms commonly misdiagnosed in NET patients, and have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Common nutrition issues reported by NET patients will be discussed, as well as recommendations for suitable screening and management practices.