Bone Cancer Treatments – Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Bone Cancer

Optimal nutrition is a very important element of cancer care. According to the National Cancer Institute, malnutrition is involved in about one-third of all deaths from cancer.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we believe nutrition plays an important role in bone cancer treatment. Besides depleting the body's nutrients and causing weight loss, bone cancer and its treatments can negatively impact appetite and digestion. These combined factors may leave you in a vulnerable condition, with a high need for nutrients and a low nutrient intake.

The CTCA nutrition program provides quality care for you through nutrition assessment, education, supplementation, and support. As a bone cancer patient at CTCA, our nutrition team will assess your unique nutritional needs (including your risk for malnutrition). Then, you and your dietitian will work together to develop an individualized nutrition plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects, and improve your overall well being.

Nutrition Assessment

The first step in developing your individualized nutrition plan is a comprehensive nutritional assessment. This assessment may include the following aspects of your nutritional health:

• Laboratory analysis of the blood:  This determines the status of your immune system (immunocompetence) and protein stores
• Medical history and nutrition interview:  This offers the nutrition team insight into your appetite, food preferences, the status of your digestive system, and any existing or potential complications
• Computerized diet profile:  A three-day nutrient intake analysis completed by you
• Nutrition anthropometrics:  This takes body measurements to determine your percent of body fat and loss of lean tissue

After your admission to a CTCA facility for bone cancer treatment, additional tests may be performed, such as the following:

• Indirect calorimetry:  A simple breathing test to measure your calorie requirements
• Nitrogen balance:  Measurement of protein loss to determine if your body is using protein properly

Diet

Throughout your bone cancer treatment, the CTCA nutrition team will encourage you to eat healthy foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. A registered dietitian will consult with you to develop a meal plan that suits your individual needs. Selections may include fish, poultry, legumes, low-fat yogurt, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, and other healthy food choices. Click here for nutritional recipe cards.

Supplementation

Vitamin and mineral supplements can help provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in your diet, and offer a boost where bone cancer may have depleted nutrients in your body. The CTCA vitamin and mineral supplementation plan includes nutrients designed to help support your immune system and reduce toxic side effects of conventional bone cancer treatment.

Your CTCA dietitian may recommend daily dosages of various nutrients, including the following:

• Beta carotene
• Selenium
• Vitamin C
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Vitamin E
• Others as appropriate

Nutritional Support

If you are unable to eat or digest food, your CTCA care team may provide nutrition for you parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The nutrition and metabolic support team—comprised of a physician, registered dietitian, nurse and pharmacist—will work closely with you should you require nutritional support.

Nutrition Education

Registered dietitians are available for advice and feedback throughout your bone cancer treatment at CTCA. In addition, we offer programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, along with regular cooking demonstrations. Books, articles, and other publications on bone cancer and nutrition are also available.

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