A home enteral nutrition (HEN) system was introduced to deliver a day's ration of an "all-in-one" sterile and modular formula from a large container. The nutrient formula consisted of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid modules sterilized separately, in an autoclave at 120 degrees C, then mixed and supplemented with minerals and trace elements. Vitamins were given the patients through a feeding tube before connecting the nutrient container. The system was used to feed 12 malnourished patients (10 men and two women) with cancer (carcinoma of esophagus or tongue) or without cancer (esophageal perforation). All patients had normal gastrointestinal function but could not take in more than 500 kcal/day orally, because of their primary disease or the treatment for it (surgery in four patients; and radiotherapy, associated in some cases with chemotherapy, in eight). HEN duration ranged from 30 to 435 days at a daily cost of approximately US $15 to $20. Statistical analysis (Student's t-test for paired data) showed significant body weight gain (p less than 0.05) and significant increases in serum levels of albumin, transthyretin (p less than 0.05, respectively), and transferrin (p less than 0.01). Increases of serum total protein level were not statistically significant (p less than 0.09). The nutrient formula was well tolerated and there were no HEN-related rehospitalizations. Seventy-five % (nine of the patients) considered that HEN had improved their quality of life. The daily savings per patient, compared to the cost of treatment in a hospital, was about $260/day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)