Courses

Nutritional Considerations in Oncology: A Case-Based Nutrition Update for Physicians

How can early nutrition screening and personalized nutrition intervention improve outcomes for patients with cancer?

Author(s): Abby Sauer, MPH, RD; Michael Wang, MD; Bowen Bao, MD 

Program Date: 29 October 2026

Publication Date: 29 October 2026

Continuing Education Credits: This educational event is not eligible for healthcare professional continuing education credit

Course Description:

Malnutrition is a common yet frequently underrecognized during cancer care. Depending on the screening method and patient population, malnutrition or risk of malnutrition may affect up to 60% of individuals with cancer. Despite this high prevalence, routine nutrition screening remains inconsistently implemented across oncology settings.  

This educational resource explores the critical role of nutrition throughout the cancer care continuum using a case-based approach. Through the case of Jane, a 52-year-old woman with newly diagnosed gastric cancer, the program demonstrates how nutrition risk can exist even in individuals with obesity and highlights the importance of evaluating weight loss, reduced food intake, and functional decline rather than relying solely on body mass index (BMI).   

The resource reviews key contributors to cancer-associated malnutrition, including reduced food intake, gastrointestinal obstruction, treatment-related symptoms, inflammation, and cancer-related muscle loss. It also introduces validated nutrition screening tools commonly used in oncology practice, including Protocol for Nutritional Risk in Oncology (PRONTO) and the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST).   

Clinicians are guided through evidence-based nutrition care processes, including screening, assessment, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation. The content highlights the role of adequate energy and protein intake, oral nutritional supplements (ONS), omega-3 fatty acids, and muscle-supportive nutritional strategies in improving treatment tolerance, recovery, and clinical outcomes.

The case concludes by illustrating how early identification of nutrition risk and prompt intervention can support surgical recovery and help maintain nutritional status and highlights the importance of nutrition as an essential component of oncology care.

Course Objectives:
  • Identify common nutritional challenges in patients with cancer, including malnutrition and muscle loss
  • Review expert guidelines for nutrition care, with a focus on nutrition screening
  • Describe the role of early and ongoing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in supporting tolerance to cancer treatment, surgical recovery, and overall patient care
Key Takeaways:
  • Malnutrition is common and often underrecognized in patients with cancer highlighting the need for routine nutrition screening and assessment
  • Evidence suggests that incorporating nutrition support early in cancer therapy can improve nutritional status, intake, quality of life, and treatment tolerance, compared with delayed intervention.
  • Adequate pre and post-operative nutrition supports wound healing, preserves lean body mass, and may reduce complications and length of stay in surgical oncology patients.
  • Medical nutrition therapy should be integrated, individualized, and ongoing. Nutrition care is most effective when tailored to the patient’s diagnosis, treatment phase, and functional status, and delivered as a coordinated part of multidisciplinary cancer care

Performance Indicators: N/A

Activity Code: N/A

Enroll
Related Questions:
  • Why is nutrition screening important for patients with cancer?
    Nutrition screening helps identify patients at risk for malnutrition before significant complications develop. Early identification supports timely intervention, which may improve nutritional status, treatment tolerance, recovery, and quality of life.
  • Can patients with obesity still be at high risk for malnutrition?
    Yes. A patient may have a BMI above 30 and still be at high nutritional risk if they experience significant unintentional weight loss, reduced oral intake, weakness, or loss of muscle mass.  Nutritional risk assessment should consider multiple factors beyond body weight alone.
  • What screening tools are commonly used in oncology nutrition care?
    Commonly used oncology nutrition screening tools include PRONTO (Protocol for Nutritional Risk in Oncology), the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST), the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), and Nutritional NRS-2002.

Course Instructor Bio(s):

Abby Sauer, MPH, RD

Abbott Nutrition Health Institute Director 
Columbus, OH USA

Abby Sauer joined Abbott Nutrition in 1999 and currently is the Director of the Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI).  Her focus is on nutrition education for health care professionals worldwide, especially on key areas such as muscle mass, malnutrition, and optimal nutrition care.  

Prior to joining Abbott Nutrition, Abby worked as a clinical dietitian in a variety of healthcare settings. She provided medical nutrition therapy to hospital patients including medical-surgical patients, ICU patients, and oncology patients, as well as outpatient nutrition counseling for patients with diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Abby earned her BS in dietetics from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and completed her dietetic internship at Barnes Jewish Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.  She earned a Master’s in Public Health from The Ohio State University.

Michael Wang, MD

Area Medical Director, Abbott Greater China 
Shanghai, China

Dr Michael Wang, MD, MBA, is a physician and medical affairs leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and the nutrition industry. He currently serves as Area Medical Director for Abbott Greater China, overseeing medical affairs and therapeutic nutrition initiatives across the region.  

Prior to joining industry, Dr Wang practiced as an attending physician for over 12 years in major teaching hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan. He has led the medical affairs teams across Asia-Pacific and has authored in more than 10 peer-reviewed publications in nutrition, chronic disease management, and mental health.

Bowen Bao, MD

Medical Director, Abbott China 
Shanghai, China 

Dr Bowen Bao earned his Master's degree from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Following his postgraduate training, he worked for two years as a medical oncologist in the Department of Medical Oncology at Putuo District Central Hospital, Shanghai, China, where he provided comprehensive inpatient care and managed patients with a wide range of oncologic and medical conditions. 

Dr Bao subsequently transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry and has held medical affairs positions at several leading healthcare companies, including Pfizer, Janssen, and Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, among others. Throughout his career, he has supported multiple therapeutic areas, including anti-infectives and oncology, and has developed extensive expertise in the care of cancer patients. Dr Bao joined Abbott China in 2023 as a Medical Director and currently serves as Medical Director for Chinese Mainland.

Category
Adult Disease State
References:
  • Turon-Findley MP, et al. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; 2017;33: 725-726. 
  • Elaine B Trujillo et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2024 Nov;48(8):874-894.
  • Kiss N, et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2026;50(3):274-338
  • Laird BJA, et al. Oncol Rev. 2026;20:1639494. Published 2026 Mar 20.