Nutritional medical therapy in cachexia patient with oesophageal adenocarcinoma metastases on dexamethasone therapy: A case report.

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas have a high risk of brain metastases. Patients with oesophageal cancer often present with symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction and bleeding. On the other hand, high-dose steroids are used to supress brain oedema in cases of brain tumour, resulting in a drastic rise in appetite. Parenteral nutrition appears to reduce the appetite of humans, so it can be used in palliative patients who receive hypocaloric food to combat hunger. A man, 53 years old with intracranial metastasis space-occupying lesions (SOL) from oesophageal adenocarcinoma and cachexia, received 3x10 mg dexamethasone followed by tapering. Acute upper GI bleeding occurred during hospitalisation; thus, enteral feeding was delayed, and intravenous feeding was otherwise given. After two weeks of hospitalisation, we found that there was a decrease in hunger, change in clinical condition, tolerance to food, and functional ability.