Esophageal Cancer Treatment – Nutritional Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

For esophageal cancer patients, optimal nutrition is absolutely essential. Cancer can deplete your body's nutrients and cause weight loss. Esophageal cancer and its treatment can also have a negative effect on your appetite, and your body's ability to digest foods. These factors may leave you in a vulnerable condition where you have a high nutrient need, yet receive a low nutrient intake.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we believe that nutrition plays an important role in esophageal cancer treatment. When about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition (according to research by the National Cancer Institute), we know that the importance of receiving proper nutrition cannot be overstated in the fight against cancer. That's why each patient who comes to CTCA receives a nutrition assessment and an individualized plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects and enhance his or her overall well-being during esophageal cancer treatment.

Our Mission

The CTCA nutrition program provides quality care for esophageal cancer patients through nutritional assessment, education, supplementation and support. This mission is achieved through the assessment of your risk for malnutrition, and the implementation of an individualized nutrition plan.

Assessment

The first step in the development of your individualized nutrition plan for your esophageal cancer treatment is assessment. The assessment may include:

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

Following admission to a CTCA facility, additional tests may be performed:

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

Diet

You are encouraged throughout your esophageal cancer treatment and beyond to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. At CTCA, a registered dietitian consults with you to develop an individualized meal plan. Selections 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 help provide nutrients that your diet may not, and offer a boost where illness may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan includes nutrients that may support your immune system and reduce toxic side effects of conventional esophageal cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. A physician will recommend daily dosages of various nutrients, including:

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

Nutritional Support

If you are unable to eat or digest food, nutrition may be provided parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The nutrition/metabolic support team—comprised of a physician, nutrition specialist, nurse and pharmacist—will work closely with you, should you require nutrition support.

Education

Registered dietitians are available for consultation during your esophageal cancer treatment. Programs and classes on nutrition and cancer and cooking demonstrations are presented regularly at CTCA hospitals. Books, articles and other publications on cancer and nutrition are also available.

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