Atrium Health
Presentation Abstract
Malnutrition Screening in Oncology: Current Issues and Future Directions
Malnutrition and its associated sequala have significant negative prognostic implications in nearly all cancer conditions. Weight loss is often overlooked clinically, in part, due to few evidenced based treatments. The obesity epidemic has further increased the difficulty in diagnosing sarcopenia which also has negative prognostic implications. Screening for malnutrition has the potential to identify those at highest risk for negative outcomes and allow prompt referral to appropriate resources. Despite this, screening for malnutrition is inconsistently done even within NCI-designated cancer centers. Additionally, lack of effective national mandates has led to inadequate dietician services, in the ambulatory oncology setting. This presentation will discuss the effect of malnutrition on cancer outcomes and the current role of nutritional screening in oncology, and suggest some future directions.
About Dr. Kadakia
Dr. Kunal Kadakia is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Levine Cancer Institute, Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. He is a practicing gastrointestinal medical oncologist and palliative care specialist. Dr. Kadakia received his M.D. at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and fellowships in hematology and medical oncology and palliative and hospice care at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. He has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications, proceedings, and book chapters. His research interests within supportive oncology span issues related to early onset gastrointestinal cancers, as well as the role of malnutrition on cancer outcomes.
Dr. Kadakia did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.