Nutrition in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Comprehensive Review of Evidence-Based Clinical Strategies

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience metabolic alterations, gastrointestinal toxicities, systemic inflammation, and loss of lean body mass, all of which contribute to nutritional impairment. Malnutrition and cancer-related cachexia are highly prevalent in this population and have been associated with reduced treatment tolerance, increased complications, and impaired quality of life [1,2]. This comprehensive review synthesizes current scientific evidence on nutritional considerations in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2010 to December 2025 to identify clinical studies, observational research, and international guidelines addressing nutritional status, dietary intake, symptom management, and nutritional support modalities in oncology care. Findings from the included studies were organized into clinically relevant thematic domains. The literature emphasizes early nutritional assessment, adequate energy and protein intake, individualized dietary approaches to address treatment-related symptoms, and appropriate use of nutritional support when oral intake is insufficient. Additionally, this review discusses emerging evidence on micronutrient interventions, the role of inflammation in cachexia, and practical strategies to integrate nutrition into oncology care. While heterogeneity among studies remains, the evidence underscores nutrition as an integral component of comprehensive cancer care during chemotherapy [3–7].