Liver Cancer Treatment — Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Liver Cancer

Liver cancer and liver cancer treatment can make you not feel like eating, especially if you are tired or uncomfortable. Also, foods may smell or taste different, or you may have difficulty eating. A decrease in appetite and/or the body’s ability to digest food may leave you in a vulnerable state—high nutrient need and low nutrient intake.

According to the National Cancer Institute, about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition. Because liver cancer can deplete your body’s nutrients and cause weight loss, maintaining proper nutrition is imperative for liver cancer patients. Eating well also helps you maintain your energy and strength.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we believe nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of liver cancer. That is why every patient who comes to us for help receives a nutrition assessment and an individualized plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce the side effects of liver cancer treatment, and enhance overall well-being.

The Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department

The nutrition team at CTCA, comprised of licensed and registered dietitians, strives to provide you with quality care through nutrition assessment, education, supplementation and support. Here, you will receive an individualized liver cancer nutrition plan aimed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects, promote positive healthy eating habits, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Assessment

The first step in the creation of your individualized liver cancer nutrition plan is an assessment. Your 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 while receiving liver cancer treatment. A registered dietitian will consult with you to help you develop your individualized meal plan.

Supplementation

Vitamin and mineral supplements may also help provide nutrients that your diet may not. Vitamins and minerals also offer a boost where the liver cancer may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan aims to 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, CTCA registered dietitians are also available for educational consultation at our facilities. 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.