Nutrition Therapy for Pharyngeal Cancer

Pharyngeal Cancer Supportive Therapies: Nutrition

The National Cancer Institute reports that malnutrition may play a role in about one-third of all cancer deaths. As pharyngeal cancer can deplete your body's nutrients and cause weight loss, optimal nutrition is extremely important. Pharyngeal cancer and its treatment can have a negative effect on your appetite and digestive process. These factors may leave you in a vulnerable condition—high nutrient need and low nutrient intake.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we believe that nutrition plays a critical role in pharyngeal cancer treatment. That's why each patient who comes to us for help receives a thorough nutrition assessment and an individualized plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects and enhance his or her overall well-being.

Our mission: Good nutrition

The CTCA Nutrition program provides quality care for pharyngeal cancer patients through assessment, education, supplementation, and support. This mission is achieved through the assessment of your risk for malnutrition, and the creation and implementation of a personalized nutrition plan.

Nutrition assessment

The first step in creating your personalized nutrition plan is a comprehensive assessment. The assessment may include the following components:

• A laboratory analysis of your blood to determine the status of your immune system (immunocompetence) and protein stores
• A medical history and nutrition interview to provide insight into your appetite, food preferences, the status of your digestive system, and any existing or potential complications
• A computerized diet profile/three-day nutrient intake analysis
• Nutrition anthropometrics (body measurements) taken to determine your percentage of body fat and loss of lean tissue

Additional tests that may be performed include an indirect calorimetry test (a simple breathing test to determine your calorie requirements) and a nitrogen balance test (measurement of protein loss to determine if your body is properly utilizing protein).

Diet

A registered dietitian consults with you to develop a personalized meal plan that allows you to eat foods during your pharyngeal cancer treatment that provide optimal nutritional benefit. Selections include poultry, legumes, low-fat yogurt, fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and other healthy choices. Check out a sampling of healthy recipes that may be included in your meal plan.

Supplementation

Your diet may not provide all of the nutrients your body needs. Vitamin and mineral supplements help address nutritional deficiencies and offer a boost where pharyngeal cancer may have depleted your body. The CTCA Supplementation plan includes nutrients that may support your immune system and may reduce toxic side effects of pharyngeal cancer treatment. A specialist will recommend daily dosages of various nutrients, including:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Beta carotene
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Selenium
• Others, as appropriate for your pharyngeal cancer treatment

Nutritional support

In the event that you are unable to eat or digest food, nutrition may be provided parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). Should you require nutrition support at any point during your pharyngeal cancer treatment, a special nutrition/metabolic support team (a physician, nutrition specialist, nurse, and pharmacist) will work closely with you.

Education

During your pharyngeal cancer treatment, you'll be able to consult with registered dietitians. In addition, programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, along with cooking demonstrations, are presented regularly. Books, articles and other publications on pharyngeal cancer and nutrition are also available in our facilities.

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