My Dad has recently been diagnosed with throat cancer. Originally it was thought to that it could be removed by surgery, which was kind of relief knowing the alternatives. However on further investigation, it turns out that he'll have to have radio or chemo or both. We're waiting on the doctors decision.

Currently his main problem is trying to keep weight on, which as I'm sure you can imagine, if you can't swallow it's difficult. He's having a "stint" put in his throat on Monday to help him swallow, so this hopefully will help start eating reasonably normally again. I feel his weight lose is his big concern at the moment apart from the obvious one.

If he can put on weight, then I think it'll help his morale a lot.

I have found a couple of things on the internet that I'd appreciate to read anyone's views on.

The first thing is called Coral Calcium, which apparently provides over 70 minerals that your body needs for "proper function" http://www.coral-calcium-benefits.com/

The other being Essiac Herbel Tea ( http://www.praxea.com/retail/essiac/facts.htm ) , is supposed to help.

Does anyone know anything about these products?

Currently my Dad is eating, crisps (of all things), sardines, general throat sweets, a product called "Complan" which should keep him going and various other soup type concoctions that my brother can come up with.

Can anyone suggest anything that could be seen as a proper meal or other alternatives to help keep him motoring along that should be easy to swallow? I think Sardines & crisps have become a little tiresome.

Thanks all and good luck & best wishes to everyone!

Hello DJ

Look at Tips on Putting on Weight , Throat and Mouth Care During Cancer Treatment and Eating Well. I hope they help with your Dad's feeding.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Thanks for the links Doc.

My Dad has now had a stent fitted (2 days ago), currently he's suffering with chest pain because of it. The day after it was fitted, he had a reaction to eating Complan, which basically after him swallowing it, it came straight back up with stomach acid. Obviously when it happened, it scared the living daylights out of everyone because no one has been told of any effects that having the stent fitted would cause apart from being sore for a while.

My brother who lives with him visited a local doctor this morning and told him about this reaction. The doctor said "it was quite normal" and would make a house visit if necessary but didn't really want to because it would give my Dad the impression it was more important than it is.

My Dad has been given a menu of things he can eat for the first few days after having it fitted, but that is the only information we have.

Could anybody shed some light on any other potential problems that this stent may cause whilst it's settling in? or anywhere I can find information about "Aftercare" after having a stent fitted?

Thanks All.

Hi DJ

To move food from mouth to stomach, all the muscles in the mouth, throat and voice box (larynx) need to be working properly.� A throat cancer can affect these muscles and make chewing and swallowing difficult. To help make swallowing easier, a stainless steel or plastic tube can be inserted to hold the esophagus open. The procedure is very often successful, >90% and patients can begin the routine of eating normal foods. Patients complain of chest pain in almost 100% of the cases because of the stretching of the stricture. Also hematemesis and nausea are possible complications. For more info see: stents

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

quote:

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have found a couple of things on the internet that I'd appreciate to read anyone's views on.

The first thing is called Coral Calcium, which apparently provides over 70 minerals that your body needs for "proper function" http://www.coral-calcium-benefits.com/

The other being Essiac Herbel Tea ( http://www.praxea.com/retail/essiac/facts.htm ) , is supposed to help.

Does anyone know anything about these products?

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Whilst these products will not harm your father, they will provide no additional benefit over eating a balanced varied diet where he will be getting these minerals. If any are deficient then supplementation of that mineral may be addressed individually

There may be substances in the herbal tea which may offer some remote benefits but the amounts would be very low. However it may help him relax which is always a good thing

quote:

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Currently my Dad is eating, crisps (of all things), sardines, general throat sweets, a product called "Complan" which should keep him going and various other soup type concoctions that my brother can come up with.

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Heed the advice of Dr Vinod here IMO - eating all these junk foods are infact ideal at the moment. If something sticks in his stent though, then he needs to bear this in mind and perhaps avoid it

I know something about Essiac because I used it for a couple of months after my surgery for node removal. I made mine up myself from herbs bought from Ceridigion in west Wales. I also tried some from a company in Brighton. The Brighton version was a different colour and tasted like poison and was greenish in appearance so I discontinued that after half a day as it made me feel unwell and went back to the Welsh supplier.

What benefit was there - well the (welsh) toast coloured tea is rather soothing. It takes about 2 hours to brew carefully so you need to store it in a sterilised bottle for up to about 10 days. It was always better the fresher it was though IMO.

You add a couple of tablespoons (can't remember exact amount) of the cold refrigerated tea to same of boiled water in a cup to warm the cold tea and quite simply sip it slowly.

If you do have a sore throat it is quite soothing on the thraot tissue so it probably does have some basic herbal therapuetic effect for sore throats. Whether or not it is curative for cancer is another matter. But when diagnosed you cling at every straw.

Of all the things I read I eliminated most ideas, but felt the Essiac tea was an interesting idea as so much was in the news then also about green tea etc. I did take some tablets of selenium, some co enzyme Q10 and also Milk Thistle tincture for liver cleansing and radiotherapy preparation. But apart from that I think most of what is sold on the internet is just that - a sale into someone's pocket. the hype is just what you are looking for when first diagnosed. It is easy to want to catch every straw on offer.

I kind of liked the Welsh supplier. I phoned her and she sent the herbs before she could have received my cheque and she added a few sincere words of prayer on the invoice. It's not expensive and well worth a try.

I think the main thing was that I felt like I was doing something myself. Using Essiac gave me back a little control at a time when I felt all control was taken away from me.

Later I used some Chinese medicine, but if anything has given me extra time or remission I know it to be the surgery and radiotherapy, particularly the radiotherapy.

As for eating - I go with my consultant who said doesn't matter what you eat just get something down, anything is better than nothing to keep the body ticking over.
I did buy a juicer which I used in the immediate weeks after surgery, but not during radiotherapy nor for a long time after. I was unable to tolerate juice because it was so acid on the damaged tastbuds on the tongue.

It's all very well thinking you will follow the perfect healthy diet, but the treatment area makes that almost impossible for at least a year I would say.

Thanks for your replies.

I'm afraid my initial quoted diagnosis was slightly misleading.

My Dad hasn't got throat cancer but he does have oesophagus cancer. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is, but the replies seem to work for both types.

Thanks

DJ, The last time I had CANCER I didnt have the feeding tube and I lost weight severally. I was hospitalized because of this. However this time I do have the feeding tube and my weight is right where I was before the sickness hit me this time. Maybe you should talk about a feeding tube..I cannot swallow yet so for me it is a must. Wish I would have had it last time tho. Would have saved me a lot of probelms. Was just a suggestion. Vicki Lynn

Hi DJ

The pharynx (throat) is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose, goes down the neck, and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the gullet - tube that goes from the throat to the stomach). Air and food pass through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or the esophagus. Cancer of the oesophagus is not a mouth cancer but several problems are common.

You will find comprehensive information on the CancerBacup website: Cancer of the Gullet/Oesophagus.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Had the pipe up the nose ect, have managed to keep the weight going through living on rice, one cup of rice cooked very slowly in heavy pan or slow cooker 2 litres of full cream milk, small amount of sugar and when cooked a few drops of rose water. this kept me going for months; anything else was too painful as swallowing reflex was not up to much.

Thanks for the suggestions & advice...I'll pass them on.