Nutrition Therapy for Melanoma
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Melanoma Treatment: Nutrition Therapy
The National Cancer Institute has reported that about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition. For cancer patients, optimal nutrition is important. Cancer can deplete your body's nutrients and cause weight loss. Furthermore, cancer and cancer treatment can have a detrimental effect on your appetite and your ability to properly digest foods.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we firmly believe that good nutrition is vital to your fight against melanoma. When you come to any of our hospitals for treatment, you’ll receive a comprehensive nutrition assessment and an individualized plan designed to help you obtain optimal nutrition throughout your treatment for melanoma.
Mission: Nutrition!
The CTCA nutrition program provides quality care for melanoma patients through personalized, nutritional assessment, education, supplementation, and support. This mission is achieved through the assessment of your risk for malnutrition, and the implementation of a customized nutrition plan to be followed throughout your melanoma treatment and beyond.
Assessment
The first step in the development of your individualized nutrition plan is assessment. The assessment may include:
- Laboratory analysis of your blood: This helps us to determine the status of your immune system (immunocompetence) and protein stores.
- Your medical history and nutrition interview: This offers our nutritional team insight into your appetite, food preferences, the status of your digestive system and any existing or potential complications to be aware of during your treatment for melanoma.
- 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 conducted. These include:
- 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 to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. One of our registered dietitians will consult with you to develop an individualized meal plan to be followed throughout your melanoma treatment. Selections include fish, poultry, legumes, low-fat yogurt, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, and other healthy food choices. Click for nutritional recipe cards.
Supplementation
Vitamin and mineral supplements help provide nutrients that your diet may not, and offer a boost where illness or related melanoma treatments may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan includes nutrients that may support your immune system and may reduce toxic side effects. 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 at any time during your melanoma treatment you are unable to eat or digest food, nutrition may be provided parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The CTCA nutrition/metabolic support team—comprised of a physician, nutrition specialist, nurse and pharmacist—will work closely with you, should you require nutrition support.
Education
At our cancer hospitals, registered dietitians are available for consultation throughout your treatment for melanoma. Programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, and cooking demonstrations are presented regularly. Books, articles and other publications on cancer and nutrition are also available.
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