Head and neck cancer patients often experience difficulty eating and swallowing food. Consumption of soft food or a soft diet is recommended, which consists of foods that can be easily mashed with a fork and are easier to chew and swallow. Examples are tender cooked meat, fish, eggs. Food chopped into small pieces soaked in more liquid (sauce). Soft cooked or canned fruits and vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, banana, pear, peach, etc.). Well-cooked pasta or macaroni well soaked in liquid or sauce. Blended foods in a blender made into purees. Liquid/mushy foods such as cream soups, juices, fresh milk, creams, yoghurt, pudding, shakes, ice cream, smoothies, etc.
For persistent or progressive complaints of inability to have adequate calorie intake of soft and liquid/mushy foods use of nasogastric access for tube feeding (a thin tube passing through the nose and reaching the stomach) or performance of gastrostomy (a tube passing through the abdominal wall and providing access to the stomach whereby feeding can take place) are recommended.
Treatment of gastric and lower esophageal cancer often requires surgical removal of the entire stomach or partial gastric resection. Lack of stomach is associated with an inability to take large amounts of food at one meal and a reduced ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, calcium and iron or Vitamin B12, leading to the development of their deficiencies. You may experience a dumping syndrome when fluids pass into the small intestine too quickly causing cramping, nausea, bloating, diarrhea and dizziness.
To avoid these complications and ensure adequate food intake it is necessary to schedule smaller and more frequent meals (6-8 meals a day). Fluid intake is recommended to be in smaller amounts after or simultaneously with meals. Limit intake of alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks and spicy foods. Monitor Vitamin D, calcium and iron or Vitamin B12 levels through blood tests and if deficiencies are present contact your doctor for their correction.
In these diseases surgical removal of part of the pancreas is often required. The pancreas is an organ that is responsible for the production of enzymes and bicarbonates needed to digest food and neutralize gastric acid. Many patients with bile duct and pancreatic cancer require pancreatic enzyme product supplementation to assist the processes of food digestion and absorption, prevent weight loss and control discomforts associated with pancreatic enzyme deficiency. It is essential to take these enzymes with every meal, especially with foods rich in fat and protein (meat, dairy products) and very fiber-rich foods such as cereals and dried fruits. Otherwise, these foods may cause diarrhea due to non-digestion of the ingested nutrients.
Intake of enzymes with a large meal (600 calories) and a small meal (300 calories) is recommended to be 40,000 to 50,000 U units and 10,000 to 25,000 U units, respectively, of the approved enzyme products CREON®, Pancreaze®, Pertzye®, Viokace® and Zenpep®.
Dose adjustment by your primary doctor may be required if diarrheal complaints persist. If heartburn is reported an antacid drug such as NEXIUM® or FAMOTIDINE® may need to be prescribed by the primary doctor for symptom correction.
Hemicolectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removal of part of the colon. Fortunately, it usually has minimal impact on digestion. The colon continues to absorb water, electrolytes and nutrients from the food taken in, however, some people may experience more frequent constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue. If you notice significant changes, consult your primary doctor for prescription of symptomatic therapy.
A healthy and balanced diet with foods rich in fiber and antioxidants such as leafy greens (spinach, lettuce, parsley, broccoli), fruits (mango, strawberries, blueberries blackberries, melon, orange, lemon, kiwi) is recommended. Hydration with plenty of fluids (water, juices, teas) may aid digestion and alleviate side effects such as constipation and fatigue. Limit caffeine and alcohol, red meat and dry cold meats. Take minimally processed dairy products rich in calcium and Vitamin D (yogurt, fresh cheese).
In the first 1 to 2 months after surgery a soft or low-fiber diet should be started to allow the gastrointestinal system to adjust. Avoid foods such as beans, cabbage, whole grains (nuts, seeds, oats), carbonated drinks that can cause gas and bloating. Later, you can switch to a complete and balanced diet. Eating smaller portions throughout the day may be easier for the gastrointestinal system.
