Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Many patients with lung cancer have multiple disease-related symptoms, which, along with the effect of treatment and the psychological distress of diagnosis, are likely to affect their nutritional status and overall quality of life.

This article outlines the consequences of malnutrition in patients with lung cancer and the effect of treatment options on nutritional status. It explores identification and management of malnutrition in patients, including the early use of nutritional screening and the provision of nutritional support such as dietary counselling and modification, oral nutritional supplements, and enteral and parenteral nutrition. A nutritional care pathway is outlined, which aims to help nurses and other healthcare professionals adopt an evidence-based, best practice approach to nutritional care for patients with lung cancer. The importance of the lung cancer clinical nurse specialist in nutritional screening and support is highlighted.