TOTAL PARENTERNAL NUTRITION
Keeping your body strong and you feeling healthy is essential during cancer treatment. Nutrition fuels your body and can help you stay on your scheduled treatment plan. If you are having trouble eating, tolerating a tube feeding, or simply are not getting enough of the essential nutrients your body needs, your dietitian may recommend TPN.
TPN is different from a tube feeding because it sends nutrients straight into your blood stream instead of your stomach. That way your digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard to break down solid foods. The liquid TPN solution that flows into your body is made up of vitamins and minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fat. You need vitamins and minerals for good health and growth. Protein helps with healing, building muscle, repairing tissue, and fighting off infection. Carbohydrates are your main source of energy. Fat also provides energy and helps your body absorb vitamins through the bloodstream.
TPN works continuously to distribute the nutrients into your body, so you will need to be connected to an IV during the entire infusion, which could be up to 24 hours. You can also have TPN running while you sleep. Based on your needs, the care team will decide on the number of hours for each infusion and how long you will need TPN.
If your care team suggests the use of TPN, don’t worry – it is not painful. You will get TPN through your central line. Being on TPN doesn’t mean you have to sit around all day. You can still get up and move around. IV stands and backpacks allow you to move around your room and the hospital and you may even be able to use these to run your TPN at home.
Malnutrition is a very common problem in cancer patients. Even patients who are eating can become malnourished because of specific changes to their digestive system because of cancer treatment. TPN helps reverse the effects of malnutrition and helps your body respond better to treatments.
However, TPN is only a temporary solution. Our goal is to help you return to tube feeding and eating normally. If you are able, you can still eat and use feeding tubes while receiving TPN. Long-term use of TPN is not recommended except for special circumstances, as it can increase the risk of infections or liver damage.
Your dietitian and medical team are working to improve your nutrition however they can so you can maintain a healthy weight, continue to grow and develop, feel better, and heal faster. If you have any questions about TPN, don’t be afraid to ask your dietitian.
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