[Clinical Value of "iEat®" in Terminal Cancer Patients Who Have Difficulty with Oral Intake of a Solid Diet].

The usefulness of "iEatR" was explored in a study of 13 terminal cancer patients who had difficulty ingesting a solid diet, but could ingest a liquid diet. The patients were given a questionnaire on the flavor, appearance, and ease of consumption after sampling 2 kinds of "iEatR". Patients wishing to continue consuming this diet were able to purchase "iEatR" at their own expense and were then surveyed regarding their ongoing consumption of "iEatR". The types of cancers were esophageal in 3 patients, gastric in 7, and pancreatic in 3. In the questionnaire, 10 of the 13 patients rated the flavor as good and 12 rated the appearance and ease of eating as good. Eleven of the 13 patients purchased "iEatR", and 61.5% of patients were still consuming "iEatR" at least 2 times per week 2 weeks after the sampling. No change in the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade was seen in any of the patients."iEatR", which emphasizes appearance and taste, is associated with improved satisfaction in terminal cancer patients who have difficulty ingesting solids, suggesting it is useful as a diet for these patients.