Researchers looked at how well people with a rare stomach cancer called pseudomyxoma peritonei eat and stay healthy after major surgery. They found that very few studies have tracked what these patients actually eat or how well-nourished they are once they go home from the hospital. This is concerning because good nutrition is crucial for recovery, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life after such extensive surgery that often removes parts of the digestive system.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well people with a rare stomach cancer eat and maintain their nutrition after going home from major surgery
  • Who participated: 324 adults with pseudomyxoma peritonei or appendix cancer who had surgery and were living at home
  • Key finding: Almost no studies have properly tracked what these patients eat or measured their nutritional health after surgery
  • What it means for you: If you have this rare cancer, work closely with a dietitian since research on proper nutrition is very limited

The Research Details

The researchers searched through medical databases to find all studies that looked at nutrition in people with pseudomyxoma peritonei after they left the hospital following surgery. They found only five studies that met their criteria, which shows how little research exists on this topic. Most of these studies simply observed patients rather than testing specific nutrition interventions.

This type of review is important because it reveals major gaps in our knowledge about how to help these patients eat well and stay healthy after surgery that often removes parts of their digestive system.

The researchers found that three of the five studies had good quality methods, while two were average quality. However, the small number of studies overall means we have very limited evidence to guide patient care.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was what wasn’t studied - none of the research actually measured what foods patients were eating or tracked their intake of important nutrients like protein, vitamins, or minerals. The few studies that existed mainly looked at general nutritional health, quality of life, and whether patients needed nutrition supplements. Two studies examined nutritional risk and status, two looked at quality of life, and only one checked for nutritional deficiencies.

Most of the research took place in cancer clinics or involved looking back at medical records rather than following patients over time. This approach misses important day-to-day eating patterns and challenges that patients face at home.

This review confirms that nutrition research in rare cancers like pseudomyxoma peritonei has been largely overlooked compared to more common cancers where dietary guidelines are better established.

The biggest limitation is the tiny amount of research available. With only five small studies and no standardized ways of measuring nutrition, it’s impossible to give patients clear guidance about the best eating strategies after surgery.

The Bottom Line

Patients with this rare cancer should work with registered dietitians experienced in post-surgical nutrition and keep detailed food diaries to track their eating patterns and symptoms. More research using proper dietary tracking tools is urgently needed.

People diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei or appendix cancer, their caregivers, and healthcare teams should be aware that nutrition guidance is based on very limited evidence.

Since research is so limited, patients may need to work with their healthcare team through trial and error to find the best eating approach, which could take months to establish.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log daily food intake, portion sizes, and any digestive symptoms to identify patterns and share with your healthcare team
  • Focus on eating small, frequent meals and tracking which foods cause digestive issues or symptoms
  • Track weight, energy levels, and digestive symptoms weekly while building a database of foods that work well for your individual situation

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. People with pseudomyxoma peritonei should work closely with their oncology team and registered dietitians for personalized nutrition guidance.