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What Causes Drastic Weight Loss Post Radiation Therapy?
Iam 60 year old male recoverig from stage IV squamous cell carcinoma. 4 chemo cycles, 66 radiation treatments to head and neck. Lots of post radiation changes to subglottis and airways. I have permanect trach and feed thru a gastric tube. Lately I have been wastingaway--lost from 189 to 150 lbs. in about two months. no appitite. Will marinol help me, and can my oncologist prescribe it in the state of Texas? thanx. Don Odom. I am receing treatment at Unv. of Texas, Northeast in Tyler, Texas.
Tue, 2 May 2023
Hello,
Drastic weight loss post radiation therapy can have multiple causes, such as loss of appetite due to the side effects of the treatment, changes in taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. Additionally, radiation therapy can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to malabsorption of nutrients.
Marinol, which is a synthetic form of THC, is sometimes used to stimulate appetite in cancer patients, but its effectiveness varies from person to person. Your oncologist will be able to determine if it's a suitable treatment for you. Keep in mind that it is not similar to illegal marijuana, that's why it is legally prescribed in any state including Texas as to my knowledge.
In the meantime, you may want to consider working with a registered dietitian who can help you develop a plan to optimize your nutrition and manage your symptoms. They may suggest ways to increase your calorie intake, such as using high-calorie supplements or adjusting the texture and consistency of your foods.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
Drastic weight loss post radiation therapy can have multiple causes, such as loss of appetite due to the side effects of the treatment, changes in taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. Additionally, radiation therapy can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to malabsorption of nutrients.
Marinol, which is a synthetic form of THC, is sometimes used to stimulate appetite in cancer patients, but its effectiveness varies from person to person. Your oncologist will be able to determine if it's a suitable treatment for you. Keep in mind that it is not similar to illegal marijuana, that's why it is legally prescribed in any state including Texas as to my knowledge.
In the meantime, you may want to consider working with a registered dietitian who can help you develop a plan to optimize your nutrition and manage your symptoms. They may suggest ways to increase your calorie intake, such as using high-calorie supplements or adjusting the texture and consistency of your foods.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
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