Cancer and its treatment are demanding on the body and good nutrition is key for maintaining strength and promoting recovery. During brain cancer treatment, side effects from drugs, surgery or radiation may decrease your appetite at a time when you most need fuel, but there are ways to manage side effects and still get proper nutrition. Talk to your health care team about their nutritional recommendations and whether there are any foods you should avoid during and after treatment.
Brain Cancer, Treatment and Nutrition
Treatment for brain cancer is often based on the specific kind of tumor and its location, and can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other drugs. The National Cancer Institute states that individuals with cancer usually need more protein and calories to nourish the bodies, but sometimes treatments can cause side effects that make eating unpleasant or even painful. Good nutrition can help patients maintain strength during demanding treatments and help promote recovery and healing, as well as provide nutrients necessary to heal damaged cells and tissues.
Benefits of Good Nutrition
When you are being treated for brain cancer, your body is not only trying to fight the disease, but it is also trying to heal and regain strength from the various treatments you are receiving. Stanford Medicine suggests increasing your calories to maintain your weight and eating more protein to help rebuild tissues and muscles.Vitamins and minerals helpful for brain cancer patients include beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, notes the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Foods to include in your diet include spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, fruits and fish, if you can tolerate them.
Treatment Side Effects and Nutrition
Some side effects of brain cancer treatment can include nausea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, changes in the way things taste or smell, and nausea or vomiting. Side effects can vary, depending on what kind of treatment you receive, and not everyone will experience all side effects. To get the nutrition you need, try eating small snacks and meals throughout the day, instead of eating three big meals. Try to eat protein with each meal, adding cheese, nuts or peanut butter to snacks. If it hurts to eat because of mouth sores, try making a shake with fruit and yogurt instead of solid foods. Try to drink liquids throughout the day, even if you are not hungry. Liquids with calories and nutrients like juices and soups are good choices.
Meal Considerations
To add calories to your diet, use whole milk instead of skim or low-fat, add cheese to soups or sandwiches and mix granola in with yogurt or ice cream. The National Cancer Institute suggests adding needed protein by putting peanut butter on rolls or apples, putting nuts and seeds into muffins or adding them to yogurt or salads, and adding cooked chicken or fish to salads, soups and casseroles. If you are unable to get adequate nutrition from your diet, sometimes administering nutritional support through a vein or a feeding tube is necessary, states the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
References
- American Cancer Society: What are the key statistics about brain and spinal cord tumors?
- American Cancer Society: General comments about treatment
- National Cancer Institute: What you should know about cancer treatment, eating well, and eating problems
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center: Brain Tumor Center: Treatment side effects
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Brain cancer nutrition therapy
- Stanford Medicine Cancer Center: Nutrition guidelines during cancer treatment
