Foods for Desmoid Tumor!

Introduction

Foods for Desmoid Tumor should be personalized for each individual and also must adapt when cancer treatment or tumor genetic change. The personalization and adaptation must consider all the active ingredients or bioactives contained in different foods with respect to cancer tissue biology, genetics, treatments, lifestyle conditions and diet preferences. Hence while nutrition is one of the very important decisions for a cancer patient and individual at risk of cancer to make – how to choose foods to eat is not an easy task.

Desmoid tumor, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, is a rare and locally aggressive type of soft tissue tumor. Desmoid tumor commonly develops in the connective tissues of the body that connect, support and surround other body parts and organs. Superficial desmoid tumors tend to be less aggressive than deep desmoid tumors (abdominal, extra abdominal, mesenteric). Desmoid tumors look like dense scar tissue that adhere to surrounding structures and organs are often difficult to remove. Symptoms of desmoid tumor includes a painless swelling or lump, pain or soreness caused by compressed nerves or muscles, pain and obstruction of the bowels, limping or other difficulty using legs, feet, arms or hands or other affected part of the body. Desmoid tumors may occur spontaneously or may be part of a disease called familial adenomatous polyposis due to mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. Treatment of desmoid tumors can be challenging, and management strategies may involve a multidisciplinary approach. Desmoid tumors are not malignant, but their unpredictable growth and invasive nature can lead to significant morbidity. Prognosis and survival rates for desmoid tumors vary depending on various factors, including the tumor’s location and extent of invasion. A holistic approach, including a balanced diet, may support overall well-being in individuals with desmoid tumors.

For Desmoid Tumor does it matter what vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds one eats?

A very common nutrition question asked by cancer patients and individuals at-genetic risk of cancer is – for cancers like Desmoid Tumor does it matter what foods I eat and which I do not? Or if I follow a plant-based diet is that enough for cancer like Desmoid Tumor?

For example does it matter if vegetable Carrot is consumed more compared to Arrowroot? Does it make any difference if fruit Asian Pear is preferred over Evergreen Blackberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Chestnut over European Chestnut and for pulses like Black-eyed Pea over Yellow Wax Bean. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Desmoid Tumor and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Desmoid Tumor!

Food recommendations may not be the same for everyone and can be different even for the same diagnosis and genetic risk.

All foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses, oils etc.) and nutritional supplements are made up of more than one active molecular ingredient or bio-actives in different proportions and quantities. Each active ingredient has a unique mechanism of action – which can be activation or inhibition of different biochemical pathways. Simply stated foods and supplements which are recommended are those which do not cause an increase of molecular drivers of cancer but reduce them. Else those foods should not be recommended. Foods contain multiple active ingredients – hence when evaluating foods and supplements you need to consider the impact of all active ingredients cumulatively rather than individually.

For example Asian Pear contains active ingredients Curcumin, Daidzein, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin, Melatonin. And Evergreen Blackberry contains active ingredients Ellagic Acid, Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, Myricetin, Linalool and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Desmoid Tumor – is to evaluate only selected active ingredients contained in foods and ignore the rest. Because different active ingredients contained in foods may have opposing effects on cancer drivers – you cannot cherry pick active ingredients in foods and supplements for making a nutrition decision for Desmoid Tumor.

YES – FOOD CHOICES MATTER FOR CANCER. NUTRITION DECISIONS MUST CONSIDER ALL ACTIVE INGREDIENTS OF FOODS.

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Desmoid Tumor?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Desmoid Tumor consists of recommended foods / supplements; not recommended foods / supplements with example recipes which prioritize use of recommended foods. An example of personalized nutrition can be seen at this link.

Deciding which foods are recommended or not is extremely complicated, requiring expertise in Desmoid Tumor biology, food science, genetics, biochemistry along with good understanding of how cancer treatments work and associated vulnerabilities by which the treatments could stop being effective.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE NEEDED FOR NUTRITION PERSONALIZATION FOR CANCER ARE: CANCER BIOLOGY, FOOD SCIENCE, CANCER TREATMENTS AND GENETICS.

Characteristics of cancers like Desmoid Tumor

All cancers like Desmoid Tumor can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Desmoid Tumor. Biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, MAPK Signaling, DNA Repair are part of the signature definition of Desmoid Tumor. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Desmoid Tumor need to be cognizant of the associated signature biochemical pathways for each cancer patient and individual at genetic risk. Therefore different treatments with different mechanisms of actions are effective for different patients. Similarly and for the same reasons foods and supplements need to be personalized for each individual. Hence some foods and supplements are recommended for Desmoid Tumor when taking cancer treatment Trabectedin, and some foods and supplements are not recommended.

Sources like cBioPortal and many others provide population representative patient anonymized data from clinical trials for all cancer indications. This data consists of clinical trial study details like sample size / number of patients, age groups, gender, ethnicity, treatments, tumor site and any genetic mutations.

CTNNB1, HIPK1, COL4A3, APC and KDM5B are the top ranked reported genes for Desmoid Tumor. CTNNB1 is reported in 76.5 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And HIPK1 is reported in 5.9 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 24 to 56. 42.9 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Desmoid Tumor biology along with reported genetics together define the population represented signature biochemical pathways for this cancer. If the individual cancer tumor genetics or genes contributing to the risk are also known then that should also be used for nutrition personalization.

NUTRITION CHOICES SHOULD MATCH WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL’S CANCER SIGNATURE.

Food and Supplements for Desmoid Tumor

For Cancer Patients

Cancer patients on treatment or on palliative care need to make decisions on food and supplements – for the needed dietary calories, for managing any treatment side effects and also for improved cancer management. All plant-based foods are not equal and choosing and prioritizing foods which are personalized and customized to ongoing cancer treatment is important and complicated. Here are some examples providing guidelines for making nutrition decisions.

Choose Vegetable CARROT or ARROWROOT?

Vegetable Carrot contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Gamma-linolenic Acid, Daidzein, Formononetin, Cinnamaldehyde. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Carrot is recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin. This is because Carrot modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Trabectedin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Arrowroot are Curcumin, Daidzein, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin, Melatonin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Arrowroot is not recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE CARROT IS RECOMMENDED OVER ARROWROOT FOR Desmoid Tumor AND TREATMENT Trabectedin.

Choose Fruit EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY or ASIAN PEAR?

Fruit Evergreen Blackberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Ellagic Acid, Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, Myricetin, Linalool. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Evergreen Blackberry is recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin. This is because Evergreen Blackberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Trabectedin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Asian Pear are Curcumin, Daidzein, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin, Melatonin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Asian Pear is not recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT EVERGREEN BLACKBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER ASIAN PEAR FOR Desmoid Tumor AND TREATMENT Trabectedin.

Choose Nut CHESTNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?

Chestnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Daidzein, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Chestnut is recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin. This is because Chestnut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Trabectedin.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Curcumin, Ellagic Acid, Daidzein, Cinnamaldehyde, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. European Chestnut is not recommended for Desmoid Tumor when ongoing cancer treatment is Trabectedin because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

CHESTNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR Desmoid Tumor AND TREATMENT Trabectedin.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Desmoid Tumor or familial history is “What Should I Eat Differently from Before?” and how they should choose foods and supplements to manage risks of the disease. Since for cancer risk there is nothing actionable in terms of treatment – decisions of foods and supplements become important and one of the very few actionable things which can be done. All plant-based foods are not equal and based on identified genetics and pathway signature – the choices of food and supplements should be personalized.

Choose Vegetable GIANT BUTTERBUR or SWEDE?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Phloretin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, RAS-RAF Signaling and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC. This is because Giant Butterbur increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Swede are Curcumin, Apigenin, Lupeol, Phloretin, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cytoskeletal Dynamics and others. Swede is not recommended when risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER SWEDE FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit JAVA PLUM or PUMMELO?

Fruit Java Plum contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Phloretin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, RAS-RAF Signaling and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and others. Java Plum is recommended for risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC. This is because Java Plum increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Curcumin, Apigenin, Quercetin, Lycopene, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like WNT Beta Catenin Signaling, Stem Cell Signaling and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and others. Pummelo is not recommended when risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT JAVA PLUM IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut COMMON HAZELNUT or BRAZIL NUT?

Common Hazelnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Quercetin, Lycopene, Lupeol, Phloretin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Lipid Metabolism and others. Common Hazelnut is recommended for risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC. This is because Common Hazelnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Brazil Nut are Curcumin, Lupeol, Phloretin, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, Cytoskeletal Dynamics and PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and others. Brazil Nut is not recommended when risk of Desmoid Tumor when associated genetic risk is APC because it increases the signature pathways of it.

COMMON HAZELNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR APC GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Desmoid Tumor. Desmoid Tumor patients and individuals with genetic-risk always have this question: “What foods and nutritional supplements are recommended for me and which are not?” There is a common belief which is a misconception that all plant-based foods could be beneficial or not but would not be harmful. Certain foods and supplements can interfere with cancer treatments or promote molecular pathway drivers of cancer.

There are different types of cancer indications like Desmoid Tumor, each with different tumor genetics with further genomic variations across each individual. Further every cancer treatment and chemotherapy has a unique mechanism of action. Each food like Carrot contains various bioactives in different quantities, which have an impact on different and distinct sets of biochemical pathways. The definition of personalized nutrition is individualized food recommendations for the cancer indication, treatments, genetics, lifestyle and other factors. Nutrition personalization decisions for cancer require knowledge of cancer biology, food science and an understanding of different chemotherapy treatments. Finally when there are treatment changes or new genomics is identified – the nutrition personalization needs re-evaluation.

The addon nutrition personalization solution makes the decision making easy and removes all the guesswork in answering the question, “What foods should I choose or not choose for Desmoid Tumor?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.

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