Eating after treatment for oesophageal cancer
Changes to eating after an oesophagectomy
It can take a few months to recover from treatment for oesophageal cancer. It may take up to a year to adjust to the changes in your digestive system.
Changes in your diet after an oesophagectomy
You may have a soft diet while you are still in hospital. You are normally advised to keep to this diet for a few weeks. This can help the oesophagus to heal. It also helps to eat small amounts more often instead of larger meals.
Gradually, you will be able to start eating solid foods again. It will help if there are no large lumps of food. Try to chew everything well. You may worry about eating solid foods at first. This should get easier as you become more used to having your usual diet again.Your dietitian will talk to you about your diet and give you advice to help you recover from treatment. They can also help you maintain your weight. If you have any questions or worries after you have gone home, contact the dietitian or your specialist nurse for advice.
We have more information about managing changes in weight.
Indigestion
You may have indigestion. If you do, the following tips can help:
- Try to eat slowly.
- After eating, try not to lie down for about 30 to 60 minutes.
- When you lie down, do not lie completely flat.
- Use extra pillows or raise the head of your bed.
Feeling full quickly
You may feel full very quickly when eating. This is because your stomach is smaller. This can happen if you have had part of the stomach removed. It can also happen if the stomach has been reshaped to replace a part of the oesophagus that has been removed. Try to:
- eat smaller meals more often, rather than large ones
- chew food well
- eat slowly
- have drinks between meals rather than with a meal, so the fluid does not make you feel full too quickly.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is fairly common after any operation for oesophageal cancer. It should start to get better as you begin to eat more normally. If you have diarrhoea, it is important to make sure you are getting enough fluids. Try to drink at least 2 litres (3½ pints) of fluids every day. It can help to avoid:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- high-fat foods
- high-fibre foods.
If the diarrhoea is severe (more than 4 times per day) talk to your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or dietitian.
We have more information about coping with diarrhoea.
Related pages
Eating after radiotherapy or stenting
If you have had radiotherapy or a tube (stent) fitted in your oesophagus, these tips may help with eating:
- Keep to a soft food diet.
- Sit upright when you are eating, to help move food down.
- If you have a stent, avoid foods that may block it, or that you may find difficult to swallow. This includes raw fruit and vegetables, tough meat and crusty bread.
- If you use a powdered food supplement, such as Complan®, make sure it is thoroughly mixed.
- Eat slowly and have sips of water between each mouthful to help wash food down.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our oesophageal cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
European Society for Medical Oncology. Oesophageal Cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up. 2022. Available from www.esmo.org/guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/gastrointestinal-cancers/oesophageal-cancer [accessed July 2023].
National Institute for Care and Health Excellence. Oesophago-gastric cancer: assessment and management in adults NICE guideline [NG83]. 2018. Available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng83 [accessed July 2023].
Dr Chris Jones
Reviewer
Speciality Registrar in Clinical Oncologist and Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Oncology
Date reviewed
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