What should patients with esophageal cancer eat?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Esophageal cancer patients can consume foods such as millet porridge, pumpkin puree, Chinese yam paste, steamed egg custard, and lotus root starch. Additionally, esophageal cancer patients must follow medical advice to take medications such as Gefitinib tablets, Compound Cyclophosphamide tablets, Methotrexate tablets, Anlotinib Hydrochloride capsules, and Fluorouracil tablets. Patients should follow the principle of eating small, frequent meals, chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly to avoid eating too quickly or becoming overly full.
Generally, esophageal cancer patients can consume foods such as millet porridge, pumpkin puree, yam paste, steamed egg custard, and lotus root starch. Additionally, esophageal cancer patients should follow medical advice regarding the use of medications such as Gefitinib Tablets, Compound Cyclophosphamide Tablets, Methotrexate Tablets, Anlotinib Hydrochloride Capsules, and Fluorouracil Tablets. Details are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Millet Porridge: Millet porridge is a nutritious and easily digestible food. It is rich in carbohydrates, providing energy for patients. Millet also contains high levels of B-complex vitamins, which are important for maintaining normal metabolic functions. The soft texture of millet porridge does not place excessive strain on the esophagus and can stimulate appetite to some extent.
2. Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin contains abundant beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients. Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body, helping to protect the esophageal mucosa and epithelial tissues. The soft texture of pumpkin puree makes it easy for esophageal cancer patients to swallow.
3. Yam Paste: Yam has functions of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. It contains amylase, polyphenol oxidase, and other substances that aid digestion and absorption, improving patients' physical condition. Yam paste provides carbohydrates and some protein, helping patients maintain nutritional balance.
4. Steamed Egg Custard: Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein. Steamed egg custard is soft and easy to swallow, making it an ideal protein supplement for esophageal cancer patients. It also contains fats, vitamin A, vitamin D, B-complex vitamins, and minerals that help improve patients' immunity.
5. Lotus Root Starch: Made from lotus root, lotus root starch contains nutrients such as starch, glucose, and protein. It is easily digested and absorbed and has a certain function of strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite. When patients experience poor appetite or difficulty swallowing, lotus root starch can serve as an energy supplement.
II. Medications
1. Gefitinib Tablets: This medication is a targeted drug. After administration, it can effectively kill cancer cells in the body without typically affecting normal tissues.
2. Compound Cyclophosphamide Tablets: This medication is an immunosuppressant. After administration, it can activate the immune response against cancer cells, thereby achieving therapeutic effects.
3. Methotrexate Tablets: This is an antimetabolite drug that demonstrates significant efficacy in treating esophageal cancer. However, regular blood tests are required during its use.
4. Anlotinib Hydrochloride Capsules: This medication inhibits the generation of substances such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, thereby inducing tumor cell death.
5. Fluorouracil Tablets: This is an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic drug that acts on tumor tissues in the stomach, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. It is often used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.
Esophageal cancer patients should follow the principle of eating small, frequent meals, chewing slowly, and avoiding eating too quickly or too much.
