Nutrition Before and During Mesothelioma Treatment

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In order to avoid fatigue, maintain weight, fight infection and tolerate treatment, mesothelioma cancer patients MUST work on building strength. Even with proper nutrition, this can be a daunting task, and receiving proper nutrition isn’t easy. This is because many mesothelioma cancer patients face a cruel paradox: at the very moment their bodies need nutrients most, they lose their appetites (anorexia) due to mesothelioma’s symptoms and the effects of treatments they are undergoing. However, patients who plan well can at least avoid the discomfort caused by malnutrition.

If you or someone you love is suffering from mesothelioma, it is important to understand the unique nutritional needs of people in this situation, which differ significantly from those of a healthy person. A patient’s nutritional needs also vary depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma treatment a patient is undergoing. This article will attempt to address these needs and provide you with information you can use before, during and after treatment.

Before Mesothelioma Treatment

Your strategy for maintaining proper nutrition will depend largely on how well you feel. Patients at the early stages of the disease may feel well enough to eat normal meals, while those suffering from moderate to advanced mesothelioma symptoms — and those undergoing treatment — typically are forced to alter their diets substantially. If you feel well enough, you should use the time before treatment begins building up strength by eating foods that are high in proteins, as well as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers the following additional tips:

Try new foods, because tastes can change during cancer treatment
Eat plant-based foods such as peas and dried beans
Limit alcohol consumption
Eat five “colorful servings” of fruits and vegetables per day. This includes dark green and deep yellow vegetables, which contain important nutritional substances called phytochemicals
Limit foods that are pickled, smoked or salt-cured
Be physically active and maintain proper weight (if possible)
Keep the freezer and pantry stocked so you don’t have to run to the store when you’re feeling ill
Cook large dishes and freeze them in meal-sized portions

It is also important to build a support network prior to treatment. Your friends and family can be an invaluable source of help and comfort during the treatment process, so be sure to sit them down and let them know how they can help prior to treatment. In addition, you should consider speaking with a doctor and/or registered dietician about creating a dietary strategy.

Other Asbestos Diseases

Nutrition is also important for patients with other asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis. Asbestosis is a disease related to mesothelioma, but is not a type of asbestos lung cancer. The treatments for this condition are much different than for cancer, and the nutritional requirements may vary. An appointment with a registered dietician can help to establish the proper food and nutrition intake.

During Mesothelioma Treatment

Some of the symptoms experienced by patients with mesothelioma and other forms of cancer occur as a result of radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other mesothelioma treatments.

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common symptoms. Alimta and Cisplatin, two chemotherapy medications often prescribed to patients with malignant mesothelioma, can cause both nausea and vomiting.

Although some patients are unable to eat without a feeding tube, others are. If possible, try to follow the suggestions outlined in this section. Sticking to the appropriate diet is likely to make you feel better because you will be getting the nutrition you need. Doing so can also help you better tolerate the treatment itself.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers the following advice for patients undergoing cancer treatment:

Eat when you’re feeling best
Avoid eating when you feel nauseous, which may make you feel more sick and discourage you from eating at other times
Eat foods that are easy to digest
Eating modest quantities is fine, just make sure that they add up to a full day’s worth of meals
If chemotherapy does not make you nauseous, eat a few hours beforehand, as this may make you feel better following treatment (many people feel sick following chemotherapy sessions)
Stay hydrated, but don’t drink so much that it fills you up and suppresses hunger

If you are unable to eat full meals, consider eating multiple nutritious snacks throughout the day, taking advantage of the times when you are most hungry. Focus on foods you like that are high in calories and proteins, and avoid snacks that might exacerbate your symptoms; shakes are a good way to accomplish both of these tasks. The ACS has a very useful chart showing good snacks for patients suffering from cancers such as mesothelioma. The chart below shows good sources of protein and calories.

Protein		Calories
Meat, poultry and fish	Milk	Butter
Cereal	Beans	Margarine
Soup	Nuts	Whipping cream
Cheese	Seeds	Salad dressing
Yogurt	Legumes	Desserts

Proteins are essential for patients suffering from mesothelioma treatment-related fatigue, as are fluids and vitamins. None of these, however, is a substitute for calories, a lack of which causes wasting syndrome (cachexia), or massive weight loss, in many mesothelioma patients.

A registered dietician can help you devise a grocery list and meal plan to help you avoid wasting syndrome and other dangerous side effects of mesothelioma. Your dietician can also teach you how to pack more calories into small meals, and can help you overcome symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, fullness and taste changes.

Sources:
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Canadian Cancer Society
Arizona Cancer Center (University of Arizona Health Sciences Center)

[Page updated December 2008]