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What Foods are Recommended for Cancer?
is a very common question. Personalized Nutrition Plans are foods and supplements which are personalized to a cancer indication, genes, any treatments and lifestyle conditions.

Foods for Chordoma!

Aug 4, 2023

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Introduction

Foods for Chordoma 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.

Chordoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the bones, most commonly occurring in the sacrum or tailbone (coccyx). Pathology outlines play a vital role in understanding the characteristics of chordoma and guiding accurate diagnosis. Radiology techniques, including MRI scans, are crucial for visualizing and assessing chordoma tumors. Organizations like the Chordoma Foundation provide valuable support and resources for patients and promote research into this rare cancer. Symptoms of chordoma can vary but may include pain, stiffness, and neurological symptoms in the affected area such as the tailbone. The survival rate for chordoma depends on various factors, including the stage and extent of the tumor. Accurate coding using the ICD-10 classification system ensures proper documentation of chordoma in medical records. Although chordoma is more commonly associated with humans, it can also occur in animals such as ferrets. Understanding the definition and characteristics of chordoma helps in recognizing and managing this challenging cancer. Chordoma can also affect other areas of the body, such as the clivus. Treatment for chordoma involves a multidisciplinary approach, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment guidelines and clinical trials contribute to advancements in chordoma management. Chemotherapy may be utilized in cases where the tumor is unresectable or has metastasized. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for implementing appropriate treatment strategies for chordoma. Overall, ongoing research and innovative therapies are actively pursued to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by chordoma.



For Chordoma 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 Chordoma 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 Chordoma?

For example does it matter if vegetable Globe Artichoke is consumed more compared to Cardoon? Does it make any difference if fruit Pummelo is preferred over Rabbiteye Blueberry? Also if similar choices are made for nuts/seeds like Butternut over Brazil Nut and for pulses like Alfalfa over Lentils. And if what I eat matters – then how does one identify foods which are recommended for Chordoma and is it the same answer for everyone with the same diagnosis or genetic risk?

Yes! Foods you eat matters for Chordoma!

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

All cancers like Chordoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways - the signature pathways of Chordoma. Biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Focal Adhesion, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics are part of the signature definition of Chordoma.

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 Pummelo contains active ingredients Quercetin, Curcumin, Apigenin, Daidzein, Lupeol. And Rabbiteye Blueberry contains active ingredients Quercetin, Linalool, P-coumaric Acid, Geraniol, Eugenol and possibly others.

A common mistake made when deciding and choosing foods to eat for Chordoma – 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 Chordoma.

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

Skills Needed for Nutrition Personalization for Chordoma?

Personalized nutrition for cancers like Chordoma 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 Chordoma 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.

Foods to Eat After Cancer Diagnosis!

No two cancers are the same. Go beyond the common nutrition guidelines for everyone and make personalized decisions about food and supplements with confidence.

Characteristics of cancers like Chordoma

All cancers like Chordoma can be characterized by a unique set of biochemical pathways – the signature pathways of Chordoma. Biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, Focal Adhesion, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics are part of the signature definition of Chordoma. Each individual’s cancer genetics can be different and hence their specific cancer signature could be unique.

The treatments which are effective for Chordoma 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 Chordoma when taking cancer treatment Radiation, 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.

DNMT3A, GRM5, PIK3CA, TERT and CDKN2A are the top ranked reported genes for Chordoma. DNMT3A is reported in 12.0 % of the representative patients across all clinical trials. And GRM5 is reported in 8.0 %. The combined population patient data cover ages from 10 to 85. 58.0 % of the patient data are identified as men. The Chordoma 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.

Foods for Chordoma!

Food and Supplements for Chordoma

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 GLOBE ARTICHOKE or CARDOON?

Vegetable Globe Artichoke contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Daidzein, Lupeol, Luteolin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Extracellular Matrix Remodelling, Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and MYC Signaling and others. Globe Artichoke is recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation. This is because Globe Artichoke modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Radiation.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in vegetable Cardoon are Curcumin, Apigenin, Daidzein, Lupeol, Caffeine. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair and Heat Stress Response and others. Cardoon is not recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

VEGETABLE GLOBE ARTICHOKE IS RECOMMENDED OVER CARDOON FOR Chordoma AND TREATMENT Radiation.

Choose Fruit RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY or PUMMELO?

Fruit Rabbiteye Blueberry contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Quercetin, Linalool, P-coumaric Acid, Geraniol, Eugenol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and MYC Signaling and others. Rabbiteye Blueberry is recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation. This is because Rabbiteye Blueberry modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Radiation.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Pummelo are Quercetin, Curcumin, Apigenin, Daidzein, Lupeol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like DNA Repair and Heat Stress Response and others. Pummelo is not recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

FRUIT RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY IS RECOMMENDED OVER PUMMELO FOR Chordoma AND TREATMENT Radiation.

Choose Nut BUTTERNUT or BRAZIL NUT?

Butternut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Apigenin, Daidzein, Lupeol, Caffeine. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and MYC Signaling and others. Butternut is recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation. This is because Butternut modifies those biochemical pathways which have been scientifically reported to sensitize the effect of Radiation.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in Brazil Nut are Ellagic Acid, Curcumin, Daidzein, Lupeol, Formononetin. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling, Heat Stress Response and MYC Signaling and others. Brazil Nut is not recommended for Chordoma when ongoing cancer treatment is Radiation because it modifies those biochemical pathways which make the cancer treatment resistant or less responsive.

BUTTERNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER BRAZIL NUT FOR Chordoma AND TREATMENT Radiation.

For Individuals with Genetic Risk of Cancer

The question asked by individuals who have genetic risk of Chordoma 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 BLACK CABBAGE?

Vegetable Giant Butterbur contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Stem Cell Signaling and others. Giant Butterbur is recommended for risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A. 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 Black Cabbage are Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling and Oncogenic Cancer Epigenetics and others. Black Cabbage is not recommended when risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A because it increases the signature pathways of it.

VEGETABLE GIANT BUTTERBUR IS RECOMMENDED OVER BLACK CABBAGE FOR CDKN2A GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Fruit NANCE or MALUS (CRAB APPLE)?

Fruit Nance contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Hypoxia and others. Nance is recommended for risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A. This is because Nance increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in fruit Malus (crab Apple) are Apigenin, Curcumin, Lupeol, Daidzein, Beta-sitosterol. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling and Cell Cycle Checkpoints and others. Malus (crab Apple) is not recommended when risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A because it increases the signature pathways of it.

FRUIT NANCE IS RECOMMENDED OVER MALUS (CRAB APPLE) FOR CDKN2A GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.

Choose Nut COMMON WALNUT or EUROPEAN CHESTNUT?

Common Walnut contains many active ingredients or bioactives such as Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Ellagic Acid, Daidzein. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Angiogenesis, Cell Cycle, PI3K-AKT-MTOR Signaling and Stem Cell Signaling and others. Common Walnut is recommended for risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A. This is because Common Walnut increases those biochemical pathways which counteract the signature drivers of it.

Some of the active ingredients or bioactives in European Chestnut are Apigenin, Curcumin, Quercetin, Lupeol, Ellagic Acid. These active ingredients manipulate various biochemical pathways like Stem Cell Signaling and others. European Chestnut is not recommended when risk of Chordoma when associated genetic risk is CDKN2A because it increases the signature pathways of it.

COMMON WALNUT IS RECOMMENDED OVER EUROPEAN CHESTNUT FOR CDKN2A GENETIC RISK OF CANCER.


In Conclusion

Foods and Supplements chosen are important decisions for cancers like Chordoma. Chordoma 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 Chordoma, 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 Globe Artichoke 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 Chordoma?”. The addon multi-disciplinary team includes cancer physicians, clinical scientists, software engineers and data scientists.


Personalized Nutrition for Cancer!

Cancer changes with time. Customize and modify your nutrition based on cancer indication, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.

References

Scientifically Reviewed by: Dr. Cogle

Christopher R. Cogle, M.D. is a tenured professor at the University of Florida, Chief Medical Officer of Florida Medicaid, and Director of the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.

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