Diet and Lifestyle Changes to Support Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

In India, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common cancer, making up 3% of all adult cancers and 85% of all kidney cancers. If you are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, what you eat and the lifestyle you follow can have a significant impact on the treatment and recovery. Even though there are no specific diet and lifestyle changes to aid the treatment of RCC, your lifestyle and diet can be crucial for your overall well-being and health.

Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) needs multiple approaches to control the cancer and its side effects. It is important to be aware of the available treatments and any potential side effects. Treatment options include

It is the most common treatment option for localised RCC.

• Radical nephrectomy: In this process, the affected part and some surrounding tissues of the kidney which are affected by cancerous cells are removed.

• Partial nephrectomy: In small tumours, a partial nephrectomy is done, in which only the affected part of the kidney is removed.

The side effects may include 

• Risk of developing infection

• Postoperative pain

• Damage to internal organs (rare)

• Kidney failure (rare)

This therapy strengthens the body's immune system, which can identify and attack cancer cells. 

The side effects include

• Fatigue

• Diarrhea

• Skin problems

This therapy prevents blood flow to the tumour, which limits its growth and shrinks it. Medications like Afinitor 10mg Tablet (everolimus) is an antineoplastic medicine belonging to the class of mTOR kinase inhibitors which affect cancer cell growth and reduce its size. 

The common side effects may include 

• High blood pressure

• Change in skin and hair colour

• Fatigue 

• Nausea and vomiting

• Sore hands and feet

This therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in the kidney. It can shrink the cancer cells. This is rarely used in treating RCC.   

The side effects may include 

• Skin problems 

• Fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting

The kidneys' main function is to filter blood and remove toxins from the body. RCC may disturb this normal function, leading to a buildup of toxins in the body. Altering diet and lifestyle changes can significantly improve treatment effectiveness and overall well-being while reducing side effects.

A well-balanced diet can help maintain a healthy body, improve immune functions, and reduce the side effects of treatment. Renal cell carcinoma can also increase the risk of heart-related problems, so it is also important to create a heart-friendly diet. Hypertension is the unknown culprit that paves the way for kidney and heart-related disease. The DASH diet includes veggies and fruits, low-fat dairy products, fish, lean meat, whole grains, and nuts that help reduce heart-related problems and aid in kidney cancer treatment.

Protein makes your kidney work harder, so limiting your protein intake can prevent the build-up of food-derived waste in your blood. However, protein is essential for keeping you energetic and making your muscles stronger. Consult your doctor or dietitian for the right amount of protein based on your needs. 

• You can try lean protein sources such as

• Egg whites 

• Cottage cheese

• Fish

• Chicken

• Greek yoghurt

• Lentils like dal

Phosphorus is a natural mineral that plays a main role in increasing the strength of the body's bones. However, in RCC, as the kidney's normal function is disturbed, phosphorus impacts bone strength. You can try a low-phosphorus diet that includes

• Beans

• Oysters

• Rice

• Wheat

As soon as you're diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma, your physician will ask you to limit your salt intake. The kidney's normal function is removing slats from blood, but as RCC disturbs the normal function, it leads to the accumulation of salt in the body, resulting in high blood pressure. Try avoiding canned and processed food, hot dogs, fast foods, soy sauce and food that has high salt content.

Fruits and veggies are high in fibre, vitamins, and good anti-oxidant properties. They also help in reducing cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood. So try to include at least 4 to 5 servings of fruits and veggies in the diet, for example

• An apple or an orange

• Two to three servings of veggies

• Appetising salads as you wish

Along with dietary modifications, it is also important to include some lifestyle modifications that can support treatment and recovery. Adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking and alcohol can increase the overall survival rate. These lifestyle changes, along with medical treatment, can improve treatment outcomes, reduce side effects, and provide a better quality of life.

Keeping yourself engaged in physical activity can help maintain strength and endurance. It also helps manage fatigue and improve mood and overall well-being. Consult with your doctor and create a tailored exercise routine that is suitable for you.

A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally draining and cause stress, which can have a major impact on mood and overall well-being. Try stress management techniques such as

• Yoga

• Meditation

• Breathing exercises

• Mindfulness 

Getting adequate sleep is also important as it helps in the recovery process. Practise a proper sleep cycle, and if you are having sleep disturbances, consult with your doctor for solutions.

These diet and lifestyle changes cannot be a substitute for medical treatment but can support the treatment and manage side effects. These changes can improve the overall well-being of an individual and take action on their care plan.