- Yogurt, pudding, or applesauce.
- Cottage cheese with canned fruit.
- Whole grain cereals.
- Low sodium canned soups.
- Oatmeal packets.
- Pre-made smoothies.
- Peanut butter crackers.
- Trail mix or nuts (if you can chew and swallow well)
Medication
Surgery or radiotherapy for head and neck cancers can change how you eat and drink. Many people find that it gets easier to eat after treatment finishes. This is because side effects such as pain, swelling, feeling sick and tiredness are improving. If you have eating difficulties, you will usually be supported by a speech and language therapist (SLT).
Procedures
1 can Ensure/Boost Plus, 8 ounces whole milk and 1/2 cup premium ice-cream = 730 calories and 28 grams of protein. Experiment yourself with different shake recipes. Use different syrups, fruits and extracts. Add candy, nuts or granola to it. Try using protein powders or powdered milk to increase calories and protein. Favorite Scandishake Recipes
Therapy
Diet and Nutrition During Head and Neck Cancer Treatment 3/16 Mouth sores and painful swallowing If you have mouth sores, painful swallowing, or both: Try eating soft, bland foods. You can read about these in the “Soft and Bland Foods” section. Avoid steaming hot foods and drinks.
Self-care
Feb 28, 2018 · Managing Eating Challenges After Head and Neck Cancer Treatment. Treatments for head and neck cancer can have many side effects that impact a person’s ability to eat and get good nutrition. However, the cancer care team is there to help people cope with these types of treatment side effects. In this podcast, registered dietitians Annette ...
Nutrition
Eating may be difficult after treatment for head and neck cancer. Some patients receive nutrients directly into a vein after surgery or need a feeding tube until they can eat on their own. A feeding tube is a flexible plastic tube that is passed into the stomach through the nose or …
How can I eat after head and neck cancer treatment?
Eating may be difficult after treatment for head and neck cancer. Some patients receive nutrients directly into a vein after surgery or need a feeding tube until they can eat on their own. A feeding tube is a flexible plastic tube that is passed into the stomach through the nose or …
What foods should I avoid if I have head and neck cancer?
October 2013 #7. eating and swallowing. louiethetzu, Welcome to the H&N forum, where eating and drinking are on our menu. You must try to swallow water at every chance and to use your PEG to the max (if you do not eat). I used a lot of magic mouth wash to …
How does head and neck cancer affect how I eat and drink?
What are the treatment options for head and neck cancer?
What can I eat after head and neck cancer treatment?
Poultry, meat, eggs, beans, nuts and nut butters, and dairy products are all good sources of protein. You should try to choose foods that are high in protein in all your meals and snacks. Nuts and nut butters, avocados, olive or canola oils, and whole fat dairy products are good sources of calories.Apr 26, 2019
What food is good for cancer survivors?
Eat at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day. Choose healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish and walnuts. Select proteins that are low in saturated fat, such as fish, lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes.
What should you eat after cancer treatment?
Try to eat a variety of vegetables—dark green, red, and orange, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others. Include fruits, especially whole fruits with a variety of colors in your diet. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, like whole-grain breads and cereals.Mar 16, 2022
How long does it take to recover from neck cancer?
You may have numbness in your neck and ear. Your lower lip or shoulder may feel weak. For most people, these problems go away in 6 to 12 months.
What should cancer survivors not eat?
Limit red meats and avoid processed meats. Processed meats include ham, sausage, bacon, salami, and hot dogs. It is best to avoid these since even small amounts can increase cancer risk.
What is the best drink for cancer patients?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) provides the following list of clear liquids:Bouillon.Clear, fat-free broth.Clear carbonated beverages.ConsomméApple/cranberry/grape juice.Fruit ices without fruit pieces.Fruit ices without milk.Fruit punch.More items...
Should cancer patients eat fruit?
Fruit provides nutrients that you need during cancer treatment. Some fruits may also help ease discomfort. Experts recommend these, depending on how you feel: For nausea and vomiting: canned fruit, applesauce, peaches, and other soft fruit.May 25, 2020
Can neck cancer be cured?
How head and neck cancer is treated. Many cancers of the head and neck can be cured, especially if they are found early. Although eliminating the cancer is the primary goal of treatment, preserving the function of the nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also very important.
Can you recover from neck cancer?
It can take time to recover from surgery for head and neck cancer . Depending on the type of operation you have, you might have physical changes that affect your head or neck. Some changes will improve as your body recovers. Some may be long term or permanent changes.
How long do you live with neck cancer?
Approximately 50% of untreated head and neck cancer patients will die within 4 months of their diagnosis. However, the remaining patients can survive up to 4 or more years, depending on their tumour location, extent, performance status and level of supportive care.
What to eat with cottage cheese?
Try these meal and snack ideas: Fruit with cottage cheese, sour cream, whipped cream or mayonnaise. Hard boiled egg or deviled egg with regular mayonnaise (extra yolk) Pie with ice cream or whipped cream. Chili or refried beans with cheese and sour cream.
How long can you go without eating?
Try not to go for more than two to three hours without eating something. Eat calorie-dense foods. Remember the goal is to maintain your weight and in order to do that you need to eat a lot of calories. You want to make sure that the foods and liquids you eat have a lot of calories in them.
What are the side effects of radiation?
These side effects include lack of appetite, taste changes or lack of taste, painful chewing and swallowing, dry mouth, early satiety, diarrhea, nausea and disinterest in food and eating. The type and severity of side effects usually depends on the location of the radiation. Calorie and protein needs are increased in patients receiving treatments ...
How to get rid of a swollen ear?
Eat small frequent meals – six to eight times per day. Make every bite and sip count by eating calorie-dense foods and add calories to foods. Limit foods and beverages low in calories. Eat a variety of foods – include various colors, textures and flavors.
What is the best diet for a diabetic?
You need a high calories and high protein diet but you still need a balanced diet with foods from all food groups. Continue to include fruits and vegetables in addition to high calorie foods. Carry food with you at all times to enjoy while waiting for treatment, in the car, waiting to see the doctor, etc.
How long to cook pancakes on a griddle?
Using a 1/4 cup mixture, drop the batter onto the griddle or skillet. Cook until pancakes are golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
What are some good recipes for ham and cheese?
Scrambled eggs cooked with butter or oil with added cheese or small pieces of ham. Mashed potatoes made with liberal amount of whole milk and butter and topped with gravy. Spaghetti – cook noodles, add 1 to 2 tablespoons oil add cooked ground beef to red sauce and top with parmesan cheese.
Managing Eating Challenges After Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
Treatments for head and neck cancer can have many side effects that impact a person’s ability to eat and get good nutrition. However, the cancer care team is there to help people cope with these types of treatment side effects.
Tags
Share your thoughts on this blog post on Cancer.Net's Facebook and Twitter .
What is the goal of head and neck cancer treatment?
The goal of treatment for head and neck cancers is to control the disease, but doctors are also concerned about preserving the function of the affected areas as much as they can and helping the patient return to normal activities as soon as possible after treatment.
What tests do doctors do for thyroid?
From time to time, the doctor may perform a complete physical exam, blood tests, x-rays, and computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The doctor may monitor thyroid and pituitary gland function, especially if the head or neck was treated with radiation.
Why do you need reconstructive surgery?
However, reconstructive surgery may not always be possible because of damage to the remaining tissue from the original surgery or from radiation therapy.
What is the purpose of rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is a very important part of this process. The goals of rehabilitation depend on the extent of the disease and the treatment that a patient has received. Depending on the location of the cancer and the type of treatment, rehabilitation may include physical therapy, dietary counseling, speech therapy, ...
Does smoking cause neck cancer?
Research has shown that continued smoking by a patient with head and neck cancer may reduce the effectiveness of treatment and increase the chance of a second primary cancer.
What is the job of a speech pathologist?
Often, a speech-language pathologist will visit the patient in the hospital to plan therapy and teach speech exercises or alternative methods of speaking. Speech therapy usually continues after the patient returns home. Eating may be difficult after treatment for head and neck cancer.
Can you eat after neck cancer surgery?
Eating may be difficult after treatment for head and neck cancer. Some patients receive nutrients directly into a vein after surgery or need a feeding tube until they can eat on their own. A feeding tube is a flexible plastic tube that is passed into the stomach through the nose or an incision in the abdomen.
Where does head and neck cancer start?
Cancers that are known collectively as head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck (for example, inside the mouth, the nose, and the throat). These squamous cell cancers are often referred to as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
What are the most common causes of head and neck cancer?
At least 75% of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol use ( 6 ).
Is salivary gland cancer a cancer?
Salivary glands contain many different types of cells that can become cancerous, so there are many different types of salivary gland cancer. Cancers of the head and neck are further categorized by the area of the head or neck in which they begin. These areas are described below and labeled in the image of head and neck cancer regions.
What are the risks of exposure to wood dust?
Industrial exposure to wood or nickel dust or formaldehyde is a risk factor for cancers of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity ( 20 – 22 ). Radiation exposure. Radiation to the head and neck, for noncancerous conditions or cancer, is a risk factor for cancer of the salivary glands ( 16, 23, 24 ). Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Is head and neck cancer a squamous cell?
Credit: Terese Winslow. Cancers of the brain, the eye, the esophagus, and the thyroid gland, as well as those of the scalp, skin, muscles, and bones of the head and neck, are not usually classified as head and neck cancers. Sometimes, cancerous squamous cells can be found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence ...
What is clinical trial?
Clinical trials are research studies conducted with people who volunteer to take part. Participation in clinical trials is an option for many patients with head and neck cancer. Ongoing clinical trials are testing the effectiveness of treatments for head and neck cancers.
Is oropharyngeal cancer increasing?
In the United States, the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers caused by HPV infection is increasing, while the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers related to other causes is falling ( 9 ). More information is available at the HPV and Cancer page. Other risk factors for cancers of the head and neck include the following:
