According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 143,000 new colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed in 2010. In that same year, more than 50,000 deaths from this disease occurred. Physicians commonly refer to cancer of the rectum as colorectal cancer. Hepatomegaly refers to an enlarged liver and can be caused by a number of diseases, including cirrhosis, alcoholism, heart disease, hepatitis and leukemia. Emphasizing a nutrient-rich diet is essential if you have these illnesses.
Colorectal Cancer
The colon is about 5 feet in length and the rectum comprises the last 6 inches of your digestive tract. Adenocarcimonas cause more than 95 percent of colorectal cancers and develop when cells that line the walls of the colon and rectum become malignant. The majority of colorectal cancers originate in the sigmoid colon, which is located just above the rectum, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Nutrition for Rectal Cancer
Tips for healthy nutrition while fighting rectal cancer include eating more foods high in antioxidants, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Antioxidants can get rid of toxic oxidants, or free radicals, that exist in the bloodstream. Oxidants can interfere with your immune system's functionality and harm cellular DNA, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When battling cancer or any chronic disease, it is important to have the strongest immune system possible. Foods rich in antioxidants include blueberries, Russet potatoes, peppers, raspberries, cherries and tomatoes.
Hepatomegaly
The liver is responsible for numerous physiological processes, such as metabolism and detoxification. Many diseases can affect the liver and induce hepatomegaly, including glycogen storage disease, mononucleosis, Reye syndrome and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Other diseases that can contribute to this condition include neuroblastoma, Niemann-Pick disease, primary scelrosing cholangitis and metastisized cancer tumors, according to UMMC.
Nutrition for Hepatomegaly
According to the National Liver Foundation, your doctor may give you specific dietary guidelines for hepatomegaly depending on its root cause. If you have hepatitis C, for example, you may be advised to avoid eating raw shellfish as it can contain viruses and bacteria. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis may be encouraged to consume foods containing abundant sulfur such as onions, eggs and garlic. These foods can help the body more efficiently rid itself of toxins through increased enzyme reactions, according to Dr. Sandra Cabot. The liver will have more energy available for healing if it has fewer toxins to metabolize.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Colon and Rectal Cancer
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Colorectal Cancer Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Colorectal Cancer
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hepatomegaly
- National Liver Foundation: Anatomy and Physiology of Liver
- Hepatitis C Support Project; Nutrition and Hepatitis C; Alan Franciscus.; March 2009
