Monitoring of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by drug use evaluation appears to be a reasonable approach to characterizing use of parenteral nutrition within an institution. Development of specific criteria for use of TPN may be difficult because of the broad nature of published guidelines. Criteria for use of TPN in tumor-bearing patients is controversial. Results from recent investigations conflict with previous generally accepted guidelines for providing TPN in cancer patients. This article reviews published guidelines for use of TPN as well as application of these guidelines for drug use evaluation. Criteria for use of TPN and results of a subsequent drug use evaluation in a cancer institution are presented.