A IMPORTÂNCIA DA NUTRIÇÃO NA TERAPIA COMPLEMENTAR AO TRATAMENTO DE PACIENTES ONCOLÓGICOS

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems, directly impacting patients' quality of life. Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can cause severe adverse effects, including malnutrition, which is common among cancer patients and may reduce treatment effectiveness. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted through an Integrative Literature Review (ILR), aiming to synthesize the evidence regarding the role of nutrition as a complementary therapy in the treatment of cancer patients. RESULTS: Four studies were selected, addressing different aspects of nutrition in oncological treatment. The results showed that adequate nutritional intervention improves treatment response, prolongs survival, and contributes to better quality of life. Key categories identified included the benefits of nutritional therapy in cancer treatment, nutritional therapy with antioxidant vitamins, and nutritional therapy in palliative care. Studies indicated that proper nutrition has a significant impact on treatment tolerance, patient recovery, prevention of excessive weight loss, and immune system modulation. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that nutrition plays a strategic role in cancer treatment, not only correcting nutritional deficiencies but also optimizing treatment response and improving quality of life. The evidence reinforces that enteral and parenteral nutrition is effective in patients with severe feeding difficulties, while diets rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds may help modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, critical factors in cancer. The integration of nutrition with other complementary therapies, including psychological support, is essential for holistic care. In palliative care, nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining well-being and alleviating symptoms associated with treatment. CONCLUSION: The integrative review confirms the importance of nutrition as a crucial complementary therapy in cancer treatment, enhancing treatment response, prolonging survival, and promoting patients' overall well-being. Proper nutritional intervention helps reduce adverse effects such as fatigue and malnutrition while contributing to immune system modulation and inflammation control. The implementation of personalized nutritional strategies, alongside conventional therapies, is key to optimizing oncological treatment outcomes, reinforcing the need for a multidisciplinary approach in the comprehensive care of cancer patients.