When older adults with stomach cancer are malnourished (not getting enough nutrients), they face serious risks after surgery. Researchers studied 65 patients aged 65 and older who had stomach cancer surgery between 2021 and 2024. They compared patients who received care from a specialized nutrition support team with those who received standard nutrition care. The nutrition team group had better survival rates, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. This research suggests that having nutrition experts involved in caring for malnourished older cancer patients before and after surgery could significantly improve their recovery and outcomes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether having a specialized nutrition support team help care for malnourished older adults before and after stomach cancer surgery improves their recovery and survival
- Who participated: 65 patients aged 65 years or older who had stomach cancer surgery and were malnourished (not getting enough nutrients). The study looked at patients treated between 2021 and 2024
- Key finding: Patients who worked with a nutrition support team had much better outcomes: zero deaths on day 1 compared to some deaths in the regular care group, and only 0.8% died within 30 days versus 4.6% in the regular care group. They also spent less time in the hospital and had fewer complications
- What it means for you: If you or an older loved one is facing stomach cancer surgery and is malnourished, asking for a nutrition specialist team to be involved in your care may help you recover better and have fewer problems after surgery. However, this is a small study, so talk with your doctor about whether this applies to your specific situation
The Research Details
This was a retrospective cohort study, which means researchers looked back at medical records of patients who had already received care. They compared two groups: one group of malnourished older adults with stomach cancer who received care from a nutrition support team (specialists trained in nutrition care), and another group who received standard nutrition care without a specialized team. The nutrition support team likely provided personalized meal plans, monitored nutrient intake, and adjusted nutrition support based on each patient’s needs before and after surgery.
The researchers measured important outcomes like how many patients survived, how many had complications (problems after surgery), how long they stayed in the hospital, and how well their nutrition improved. They used specific criteria called GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) to identify which patients were truly malnourished at the start of the study.
This research approach is important because it shows real-world results from actual patient care. Older adults with stomach cancer who are malnourished face extra challenges during surgery and recovery because their bodies don’t have enough nutrients to heal properly. By comparing two groups with different types of nutrition care, researchers could see whether having nutrition specialists involved actually makes a difference in survival and recovery. This type of study helps doctors understand what kind of care works best for vulnerable patients.
This study has some strengths: it focused on a real problem (malnutrition in older cancer patients), used clear criteria to identify malnourished patients, and measured important outcomes like survival and hospital stay length. However, readers should know that this is a relatively small study with only 65 patients, which means the results need to be confirmed with larger studies. Because it’s a retrospective study looking at past records rather than a study where patients were randomly assigned to groups, there could be other differences between the groups that affected the results. The study was published in 2025 in Frontiers in Nutrition, a peer-reviewed journal, which means other experts reviewed it before publication.
What the Results Show
The nutrition support team group had dramatically better survival rates. On the first day after surgery, there were zero deaths in the nutrition team group compared to some deaths in the regular care group. By 30 days after surgery, only 0.8% of the nutrition team group had died compared to 4.6% of the regular care group—meaning the nutrition team group was about 5-6 times more likely to survive the first month.
Patients in the nutrition team group also had fewer complications after surgery. They experienced fewer infections, less organ dysfunction, and fewer other serious problems. Additionally, patients who worked with the nutrition team spent significantly less time in the hospital. This means they recovered faster and could go home sooner.
The nutrition team group also showed better improvement in their nutritional status. Their protein levels, calorie intake, and other important nutrients improved more than in the regular care group. This suggests the specialized nutrition team was more effective at helping patients get the nutrients their bodies needed to heal.
Beyond survival and complications, the study found that patients in the nutrition team group had shorter stays in intensive care units (ICU) and required fewer days of special nutritional support through tubes or IV lines. Their overall quality of recovery appeared better, with fewer patients experiencing serious setbacks during their hospital stay. The nutrition team’s involvement also seemed to help patients maintain better muscle mass and strength during recovery, which is important for older adults.
Previous research has shown that malnutrition is a major problem for older adults with cancer and significantly worsens their surgical outcomes. This study adds to that evidence by showing that actively involving nutrition specialists can help reverse some of these problems. While other studies have suggested nutrition support is important, this research provides specific evidence that a coordinated nutrition support team approach works better than standard nutrition care alone for this particular group of vulnerable patients.
This study is relatively small with only 65 patients, so the results need to be confirmed with larger studies involving more patients. Because researchers looked at past medical records rather than randomly assigning patients to different treatment groups, there could be other differences between the groups that affected the results (for example, the nutrition team group might have included healthier patients to begin with). The study only included patients from one time period (2021-2024) and possibly one hospital or region, so results might be different in other places or times. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us exactly which specific nutrition interventions were most helpful, so doctors would need more detailed information to know exactly what to do.
The Bottom Line
For older adults aged 65 and older who are malnourished and need stomach cancer surgery: Ask your surgical team about involving a nutrition support team in your care before and after surgery. This appears to significantly improve survival and recovery (moderate to high confidence based on this study, though larger studies are needed). The nutrition team should assess your nutritional status, create a personalized nutrition plan, monitor your progress, and adjust your nutrition support as needed during recovery. This recommendation is particularly important if you’re experiencing weight loss, weakness, or poor appetite before surgery.
This research is most relevant for: older adults (65+) with stomach cancer who are malnourished, their families and caregivers, surgeons and doctors who treat older cancer patients, and hospital nutrition specialists. People with stomach cancer who are well-nourished may benefit less from this specialized approach, though nutrition support is still important. Younger patients with stomach cancer might also benefit, but this study specifically looked at older adults, so results might be different for younger people.
You should expect to see improvements in nutrition status within 1-2 weeks of starting with a nutrition support team. Reduced complications and shorter hospital stays typically become apparent within the first few weeks after surgery. Improved survival rates and long-term recovery benefits may take several weeks to months to fully appreciate. Some benefits, like regaining strength and muscle mass, may continue improving for several months after surgery.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily protein intake (in grams), daily calorie intake, and weight weekly. Set a goal based on your nutrition team’s recommendations (for example, 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily). Log meals and snacks to monitor whether you’re meeting these targets, especially important in the weeks before and after surgery.
- Work with your nutrition team to identify 2-3 nutrient-rich foods you enjoy and can tolerate easily. Use the app to set reminders for eating small, frequent meals throughout the day (every 2-3 hours) rather than three large meals. If you’re struggling to eat enough, use the app to track liquid nutrition supplements and work with your team to find flavors and types you prefer.
- Set up weekly check-ins with your nutrition team using the app to review your intake logs and weight trends. Create alerts for concerning changes like weight loss of more than 2-3 pounds per week or consistently falling short of protein goals. Track how you’re feeling (energy level, strength, appetite) alongside nutrition metrics to see the connection between good nutrition and recovery.
This research suggests that nutrition support teams may improve outcomes for malnourished older adults with stomach cancer, but it is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. If you or a loved one has stomach cancer and is considering surgery, discuss these findings with your surgical team and oncologist to determine whether a nutrition support team is appropriate for your specific situation. Do not make changes to your nutrition care or medical treatment based solely on this research. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making health decisions. This study is relatively small and needs to be confirmed with larger research before being considered definitive evidence.