One of the most common oncological pathologies is stomach cancer. The tumor begins to develop in the mucosa, rapidly spreading throughout the body, affecting other organs - the liver, esophagus, and even the lungs.
The treatment of the disease is not only chemotherapy and medications, but also a strict diet for stomach cancer. It is specifically aimed at facilitating the course of the disease, as well as facilitating early rehabilitation in the postoperative period.
Cancer stages
Oncopathologies, like any other diseases, develop gradually. It is almost impossible to diagnose stomach cancer at an early stage without special laboratory tests. In most cases, this happens by accident. There are 4 stages:
- At this stage, the disease is only beginning to develop, being exclusively in the gastric mucosa. It does not affect muscle tissue. The early form of cancer is completely treatable in an operable way, as well as the use of radiation and chemotherapy.
- A more neglected but still fixable case is the second stage of stomach cancer. The tumor penetrates the serous membrane, lymph nodes begin to respond to pathological processes in the body. After the operation and the course of chemotherapy, it is extremely important to be under the clear supervision of a specialist, as well as follow a diet.
- This stage is considered inoperable, however, some doctors still agree to complex operations. The risk of death is great. At the 3rd stage, the tumor spreads deep into the muscle tissue, and gives metastases to the regional lymph nodes. The body begins to be bothered by debilitating pains that are not eliminated by ordinary analgesics. Moreover, there is constant nausea, vomiting, digestive upset. Most often, specialists with a third stage of cancer turn to specialists.
- The neglected stage, which, unfortunately, cannot be cured already. At this stage, the maternal tumor decays, and metastases affect the entire body. Irreversible effects occur: refusal of food, general exhaustion, weight loss and excruciating pains. All that experts can help is to ease the course of the disease.
How to treat stomach cancer?
The main cancer treatment method is the complete removal of the detected neoplasm, followed by radiation and / or chemotherapy. It is extremely important to consult a specialist on time. Only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective method of therapy.
Also, as a supportive treatment, a special diet is prescribed for patients with gastric cancer. It is aimed not only at facilitating the rehabilitation of the patient, but also at preventing the formation of relapse.
Therapeutic nutrition for cancer of the stomach
Thanks to the results of recent studies, it was possible to establish that the diet for cancer of the stomach should be, first of all, low-calorie. Heavy food negatively affects not only the patient’s physical well-being, but also the speed of recovery after treatment.
As a rule, gastric cancer is always accompanied by other pathological disorders of the body. For example, gastritis is the most common "companion" of cancer. It is imperative to prevent the development of the latter in order to eliminate the risk of ulceration.
If, as a result of the studies, stomach cancer was diagnosed, the diet, nutrition and principles of eating food are prescribed in a strictly individual order by the attending physician. Self-medication is not only ineffective, but also life threatening.
The basic principles of nutrition
As a rule, after diagnosing cancer in a patient, an operation is performed, as a result of which the entire stomach or part of it is removed. Apart are people with an advanced stage and complications, in a situation with which it simply does not make sense to perform any surgical procedures.
Depending on the severity of the disease, its form and type, the patient is assigned an individual diet for stomach cancer. There are several groups of similar power systems:
- before and after surgery;
- lifelong to prevent relapse;
- for inoperable patients with advanced cancer.
Recommended Diet for Gastric Cancer: What to Eliminate
During the treatment of the disease and in the period of remission, it is strictly forbidden to eat heavy food for the stomach, foods containing a large amount of acids and animal fats, as well as fried, salty and excessively spicy foods.
Illegal products include the following:
- legumes;
- coarse fiber products, including red meat;
- tomato sauces;
- mushrooms;
- pickles, smoked meats, canned food and pickles;
- fatty broths;
- coffee, strong tea, carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
- unripe and sour vegetables, fruits;
- simple carbohydrates (chocolate, sugar, pastries).
All of these products are contraindicated in stomach cancer. However, it should be understood that this list is incomplete. Any diet is compiled on a strictly individual basis by a qualified doctor.
Allowed Products
Diet for stomach cancer involves the use of products mainly in liquid, or well-boiled form. So, cereals and meat with fish are pre-boiled, or steamed, and then turned into a puree mass.
The allowed, recommended food, include:
- light vegetable soups (grated);
- boiled porridge;
- white meat and fish;
- vegetable puree;
- steamed eggs and omelets (only not hard-boiled!);
- grated cottage cheese (sour is prohibited);
- yesterday’s bread (flour of the first and highest grade);
- vegetable oils (you can have a little fresh cream);
- weak tea;
- jelly, fresh fruit jelly.
Also, on the recommendation of a doctor, it is possible to add other products to the diet, or, conversely, to exclude / replace some of the above.
Diet before surgery
To date, the only effective way to get rid of cancer is surgery, followed by removal of the tumor. In order for the operation to go without complications, as far as possible, the patient is warned in advance about the need to change the diet.
Diet for stomach cancer before surgery involves the use of exclusively "light" food, which the body will absorb without any difficulties. It is best if all products are grated, in the form of mashed potatoes.
It is imperative to completely empty the intestines before surgery. To do this is simple - you just need to correctly compose your daily diet, in which 90% of the food will be plant-based.
It is necessary to evenly distribute each of the meals throughout the day. Their optimal number is 5-6 times. Servings should not be large, and foods simply must contain vitamins and substances useful to the body. This will help not only strengthen the immune system, but also accelerate the rehabilitation after surgery.
Diet after tumor removal
In the postoperative period, patients may experience severe discomfort in the stomach, including nausea and vomiting. However, this is not a reason to categorically refuse meals.
It is important to observe a clear meal schedule - from 5 or more times a day, in small portions. Diet for gastric cancer after surgery is aimed at maintaining the body, its early recovery. It is forbidden to take spicy, fried, salty, canned and sour.
Bread is allowed, but it should not be fresh. It is preferable to use slightly dried pieces, but not crackers. The same goes for tea. Strong is strictly prohibited.
Dietary meat products are shown - veal, turkey, chicken, nutria. Receptions of fish, mucous soups and cereals (rice, oatmeal, wheat groats) are also allowed. Any food should be cooked, cooked, baked (without crust), or steamed. During meals, you need to observe the optimum temperature, as close as possible to the temperature of the human body.
In the first days after surgery, the doctor may recommend fasting. However, this is fully compensated by vitamin solutions administered intravenously in the initial period. After three days, you can begin to take mashed potatoes, and after two to three weeks go on a diet.
Diet for inoperable patients
A diet for gastric cancer of the 3rd degree is prescribed if, for some reason, the doctor cannot operate on the patient. If the patient is able to take food on his own, then you can eat all the “permitted” foods, as well as follow the recommendations of a specialist.
A similar diet for gastric cancer of 4 degrees. Often, patients with severe forms of the disease do not feel hunger, as the body is completely poisoned by toxic substances - decay products.
Often, patients can not eat on their own, as the patency of the stomach is disturbed by the tumor. In such cases, a small operation is performed, with the help of which the transportability of food is bypassed. However, if it is impossible for some reason, then the diet is not prescribed at all: the nutrient mixture is injected directly into the intestine using a gastrostomy.
Stomach Cancer Prevention
The appearance of precancerous conditions (ulcers, chronic gastritis, anemia, polyposis) is a weighty reason to consult a specialist. He will conduct a comprehensive examination, after which he will prescribe prevention, as well as methods to eliminate existing problems.
"Self" prevention is also possible. All that is needed is to radically revise your own diet: fatty, fried, spicy, salty and smoked foods should be minimized. It’s best to completely eliminate it. It is also highly recommended not to abuse alcohol and drugs (in particular, analgesics, antibiotics and corticoids).
Any problem is better to prevent than to fix. Reasonable nutrition is a sure step towards a healthy body.