Hodgkin’s Disease Treatments — Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Hodgkin's Disease

For Hodgkin’s disease patients, optimal nutrition is essential. When about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition (according to the National Cancer Institute), the importance of proper nutrition in cancer care cannot be overstated. Hodgkin’s disease and its treatment can deplete your body's nutrients and cause weight loss. It can also have a negative effect on your appetite and your body's ability to digest foods, leaving you in a weakened and vulnerable condition.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we make nutrition an integral part of your care. Each Hodgkin’s disease patient who comes to CTCA for treatment receives a nutrition assessment and a customized nutrition plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects and enhance overall well-being.

The Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department

The CTCA nutrition team, comprised of licensed and registered dietitians, strives to provide you with quality care through nutrition assessment, education, supplementation and support.

Assessment

The first step in the development of your individualized Hodgkin’s disease nutrition plan is assessment.

The assessment may include:

• 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:  Body measurements are made to determine your percent of body fat and loss of lean tissue.

Following your 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 your body is using protein properly.

Diet

At CTCA, we encourage you to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit during your treatment for Hodgkin’s disease and beyond. A registered dietitian will consult with you to help you develop your individualized meal plan.

Supplementation

Vitamin and mineral supplements may help provide nutrients that your diet may not. Vitamins and minerals also offer a boost where the Hodgkin’s disease may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan can help support your immune system and reduce toxic side effects. Your dietitian may 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, your care team can provide nutrition in other ways, such as parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The nutrition team at CTCA, along with a physician, nurse and pharmacist, will work closely with you should you require nutritional support.

Education

In addition to making suggestions for healthful eating during your treatment for Hodgkin’s disease, CTCA registered dietitians are also available for educational consultation. We provide programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, as well as regular cooking demonstrations. Books, articles and other publications on cancer and nutrition are also available.

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