Diet and nutrition advice for 1st chemotherapy of oesophageal cancer

Dear Sheila,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am very sorry to hear about your partner’s side effects from chemotherapy, this must be distressing for you both.

Firstly, it’s important that if your partner experiences any unwanted side-effects or symptoms as a result of treatment, it is very important he lets his team know straight away. They are best placed to assess and manage these symptoms and can give individual advice.  

With any new, changing, or worsening symptom we always recommend that he contacts his 24hr chemotherapy support line in the first instance. If needed his GP or NHS 111, to be assessed urgently today.

As you mentioned he may be at risk of dehydration again. I am sorry to hear he is losing weight so rapidly. Sometimes cancer or cancer treatment causes eating problems that mean you cannot eat or drink enough to maintain your weight. His cancer doctors or dietitian may suggest artificial nutritional support. This is when you are given nutrients through a tube. This tube may go either into the stomach or bowel (enteral nutrition), or into a vein (parenteral nutrition).

It might help to keep a symptom diary and to record weight week by week as you have been doing. Recording symptoms can provide useful information to his specialist team and help them to work out the best ways to manage his symptoms.

Your partners specialist team may arrange for him to be referred urgently to the speech and language team so they can assess his swallow. They may also suggest support from a Dietitian. Please do feel comfortable asking about this.  

Macmillan Cancer Support have information about adding energy and protein to everyday foods and the building up diet you might find helpful when the acute symptoms your partner is experiencing eventually settle. It is always best to check any changes you make with his specialist team or a dietitian for safety.

The Oesophageal Patients Association (OPA) has a downloadable booklet about swallowing and nutrition that you may find helpful.

I can see that you have joined our oesophageal cancer forum and I hope you are finding this supportive. We also have a friends and family forum, sometimes talking to others that understand can be supportive. You can also check our webpage to find details of support and information organisations in your area.

You sound like an amazing support but I can appreciate this is a worrying time for you both, remember to look after you too.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if we can support you further.

Best wishes,

Heidi

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

Ref/KR/HC