# Nutritional support and immunonutrition in esophageal cancer—From perioperative care to long-term survivorship: A review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how nutrition and immunonutrition can improve outcomes and quality of life for esophageal cancer patients through various stages of care.

## Contribution

The paper introduces nutrition as a precision-based therapeutic component in multidisciplinary cancer management.

## Key findings

- Immune-enhancing enteral formulations and omega-3-enriched nutrition reduce inflammation and preserve muscle mass.
- Structured dietary counseling improves treatment adherence and psychological well-being in esophageal cancer patients.
- Nutritional optimization across care stages enhances recovery and quality of life.

## Abstract

Esophageal cancer is recognized as one of the most aggressive malignancies within the digestive system, with global survival rates typically falling below 20%. Malnutrition impacts up to 80% of patients, significantly affecting treatment tolerance, postoperative outcomes, and overall quality of life. Recent advancements in clinical nutrition and immunometabolism have transformed the perception of nutrition from a mere supportive measure to a vital therapeutic component in cancer care. This review synthesizes evidence from studies published between 2010 and 2025, exploring the effects of various nutritional strategies—including enteral, elemental, parenteral, immuno-nutritional, behavioral, and prehabilitative interventions—on metabolism, immune response, and clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer. The findings demonstrate that targeted approaches such as immune-enhancing enteral formulations, omega-3-enriched parenteral nutrition, and structured dietary counseling can mitigate inflammation, preserve muscle mass, enhance treatment adherence, and improve psychological well-being. Overall, the literature supports the perspective of nutrition as a precision-based, integral component of multidisciplinary cancer management. Incorporating nutritional optimization throughout all stages of care—ranging from prehabilitation and perioperative support to survivorship and palliative management—can enhance metabolic resilience, promote faster recovery, and significantly improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer.