Purpose of review: This review is intended to summarize previous data on the use of parenteral nutrition in cancer patients to acknowledge recent guidelines on this subject and to suggest a need for further research.
Recent findings: Recent guidelines advise against parenteral nutrition in patients with incurable malignancies, although in some situations, patients with locally advanced cancers - not necessarily incurable cancers - might derive some benefit. Further study is indicated to better understand if other subgroups of patients might derive benefit and to understand quality of life issues.
Summary: Recent guidelines are of value in clinical management but there remains a need to further study the role of parenteral nutrition in cancer patients.