Nutrition and Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is the sixth most prevalent malignancy in the United States. The standard treatment for advanced bladder cancer involves radical cystectomy (RC), which is plagued by high rates of complications and mortality in part due to infection and rapid skeletal muscle wasting. Poor nutritional status is associated with higher complications rates following RC.
About Our Nutrition Study for Bladder Cancer
In our multicenter phase III double-blind clinical trial, a specialized immunonutrition beverage is fortified with L-arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary nucleotides and vitamin A, which have immediate effects on immune and inflammatory responses, muscle sparing and wound healing after surgery.
The goal of this study is to improve the outcome of patients with bladder cancer who undergo RC.
Initial Findings and Next Steps
Enrollment for this study opened in Spring 2019. Our initial findings are showing an improvement in outcomes.
Results from our pilot study have been published by the journal European Urology.
We partnered with The University of Kansas Health System and Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) to produce a series of videos that provide important information about nutrition and bladder cancer, including how to prepare tasty healthy recipes, how to incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle and how to manage nutrition-impact symptoms during treatment. You can find great tips and recipes using these resources.
Other Resources
Bench to Bedside Diet and Nutrition during Cancer Treatment Episode 4 (video)
Oncology nutritionist and researcher Dr. Jill Hamilton-Reeves discusses the importance of a healthy diet during cancer treatment, as well as the latest nutrition research.
Ready to Enroll?
Enrollment for this study is currently open. For questions or to see if you are a candidate, email Misty Bechtel.