Nursing considerations for patients with advanced esophageal cancer

For patients with advanced esophageal cancer, in addition to active symptomatic treatment, daily care should be strengthened to avoid vomiting, increase the quality of food intake, and improve the quality of life of patients.

1. The diet of patients with advanced esophageal cancer should mainly consist of liquid or semi-liquid food, and they should choose high-protein, high-vitamin food that is easy to digest and swallow. For patients who have difficulty eating, other nutritional supplementation methods can be given, such as nasogastric feeding and intravenous nutrition.

2. Avoid fatigue and get enough rest. Generally, it is not advisable to do strenuous activities of the upper body, and do not bend or rotate the head too much.

3. For patients after surgery, they should actively exercise their limb functions to avoid functional disorders and muscle atrophy. Once numbness or pressure occurs in the upper limbs, muscle massage should be performed under the guidance of a doctor. Avoid using force to avoid aggravating the injury.

4. Regular check-ups: every 3 months in the first year, every 6 months in the second year, and once a year thereafter.

5. Patients with advanced esophageal cancer who experience abnormalities after eating, such as nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., should go to the hospital immediately. If the patient becomes progressively thinner, family members should be vigilant and take the patient to the hospital for examination in time to prevent recurrence.