Nutrition during illness is important for healing, especially for individuals with cancer. While nutrition cannot cure cancer, it can help boost strength, reduce side effects and help maintain your immune system during treatment. Individuals with glioblastoma, a brain tumor, can make dietary changes to help maintain health and assist in the healing process. If you have glioblastoma, talk with your oncologist before making any dietary changes.
Glioblastoma
A glioblastoma is a brain tumor that is also called glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM. It is also known as a grade 4 astrocytoma and is aggressive and invasive, spreading rapidly to surrounding brain tissue. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, this brain tumor typically results in a patient's death within 15 months of diagnosis. While this tumor can occur at any age, it is most common in those who are 50 to 70 years old. Treatment for glioblastoma can include surgery, radiation, radiosurgery, chemotherapy and supportive care. The specific treatment plan will depend on the size and location of the tumor and an individual's overall health.
Calories and Protein
During cancer and its treatment, you may not be hungry. Stress and treatment side effects can blunt your appetite or make eating difficult or painful, but it is now that you most need calories and nutrients to help your body repair itself and fight the cancer. Treatments like radiation can also cause fatigue, which may be helped with adequate calories and protein. Things that may make it easier to get calories and nutrients include eating five or six smaller meals each day instead of three large meals; adding protein-rich foods like cheese or nuts to dishes; drinking meal replacement shakes as snacks between meals; and eating soft or pureed foods.
Fiber
Some pain medications or chemotherapy drugs can cause constipation, but consuming enough fiber can help alleviate this. Increasing fluid intake and eating high-fiber foods like prunes, peaches, apples, broccoli, squash and carrots can help manage constipation. If drinking large amounts of fluid is uncomfortable, sip on fluids throughout the day to increase overall intake. Talk with your doctor before increasing the fiber in your diet, since patients who are at higher risk of having a bowel obstruction may not be advised to consume a lot of fiber.
Considerations
Other side effects of medications used to treat glioblastoma can include weight gain, increased appetite for sweets, high blood sugar and high blood pressure, according to the Brain Tumor Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. Talk with your doctor about the expected side effects of your medications and any dietary or lifestyle modifications you can make that may help decrease these side effects. Work with a nutritionist who specializes in working with individuals with cancer, to ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need for optimal health during and after treatment.
References
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Glioblastoma Multiforme; June 2008
- National Cancer Institute; What You Should Know About Cancer Treatment, Eating Well and Eating Problems; September 2009
- Massachusetts General Hospital; Brain Tumor Center; Glioblastoma Multiforme and Anaplastic Glioma: A Patient Guide; Dr. John Henson; 1999
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