Throat Cancer Treatments — Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Throat Cancer

Conventional throat cancer treatments are designed to stop the spread of throat cancer by destroying the cancerous cells. However, in the process of treatment, many of the body’s healthy cells are damaged. Since the body is working hard to fight cancer cells and repair healthy cells, it requires higher amounts of nutrients just to maintain standard body functions.

If there aren't enough nutrients to go around, malnutrition will result. This condition forces the body to take nutrients from fat stores, or break down existing muscle tissue to obtain what is needed. To prevent malnutrition, it is important to eat enough foods rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants. Also, limiting salt, fat, alcohol, and sugar intake is essential.

Proper nutrition may help to lessen the side effects of throat cancer treatment. However, some of the side effects can make eating the proper diet difficult. For example, throat cancer treatment may cause tender mouth sores, dry mouth (due to reduction of saliva), loss of taste or smell, difficulty swallowing, and nausea. A dietitian can become an important resource to help you maintain adequate nutrition during your throat cancer care.

Throat Cancer Nutrition Therapy at CTCA

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), the Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department is here to support you as you fight throat cancer. We understand that proper nutrition can help you feel and look better, maintain your strength, reduce fatigue, and enhance your overall well-being during throat cancer care. Nutrition is also an area of your throat cancer treatment in which you can play a direct role, which may give you a greater sense of control and empowerment.

The Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department is led by licensed and registered dietitians. With an emphasis on proactive nutrition intervention, our team of dietitians strives to keep you strong and nutritionally balanced so your cancer treatment is not interrupted.

Upon your arrival at a CTCA hospital, your dietitian will provide a comprehensive nutrition assessment. They will then work with you to design a personalized throat cancer treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Throughout your care, your dietitian will consult with other members of your care team, including your oncologist, to complement your traditional throat cancer treatments with nutrition therapies. The goal is to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects, promote positive healthy eating habits, and enhance your quality of life.

Personal Meal Plans

At CTCA, we understand that adequate protein, calories and high-nutrient foods are essential during this time. We also understand that throat cancer treatments can cause side effects that can make eating difficult. At CTCA, your dietitian works directly with our chef and will help you choose foods that are suitable for you and your throat cancer treatment.

For instance, your dietitian might make recommendations for dealing with the following potential side effects of throat cancer treatment:

• Nausea:  It may help to eat small, frequent meals at times when you feel best, avoid strong aromas, and choose cold foods.
• Changes in taste:  It may help to rinse your mouth out with baking soda and water mouthwash before eating.
• Reduction of saliva:  Lemon-flavored drinks may help stimulate saliva and taste.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia):  Soft or moist foods may be easier to tolerate. It may also help to avoid foods that adhere to the roof of the mouth.
• A sore or blistered mouth or throat (mucositis):  It may help to sip fluids frequently throughout the day and choose foods that are easy to chew and swallow.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation

Vitamin and mineral supplements provide nutrients that your diet may not, and offer a boost where the throat cancer may have depleted your body. The nutrition team works with the Naturopathic Medicine Department to develop a supplementation plan specific to you.

For instance, throat cancer treatment can cause swallowing difficulties, making the act of eating or chewing painful. In these situations, drinking nutritional supplements or meal replacements can provide the essential vitamins and protein when the actual act of swallowing may be too discomforting.

Nutritional Support

Sometimes throat cancer treatments may directly affect your ability to eat. Your dietitian, along with a physician, nurse and pharmacist, will work closely with you to make sure you receive proper nourishment. If you are unable to eat or digest food, we will provide nutrition parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube), until you can eat on your own.

Nutrition Education

By teaching good nutrition during throat cancer treatment, your dietitian takes the guesswork out of which foods to eat and which supplements to take. The Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department also offers educational programs and classes, including a weekly nutrition class and a monthly cooking class.

Next Topic: Naturopathic Medicine for Throat Cancer