If you’re living with a condition like desmoid tumor, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, you might be aiming to live as healthy as possible. There currently isn’t a recommended diet for treating desmoid tumors. However, your doctor or sarcoma (soft tissue) specialist may recommend some changes based on your treatments or symptoms.

In this article, we’ll cover five facts about eating a healthy diet for people with desmoid tumor. If you’re not sure what to eat, a trained dietitian can help.

1. There’s No Specific Diet for Desmoid Tumor

Desmoid tumors are noncancerous growths that develop in the body’s connective tissues. According to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, experts don’t currently have a recommended diet for people with desmoid tumor. It’s still important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet to support your overall health.

According to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the United States Department of Agriculture, American adults should:

• Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
• Get protein from both animal and plant-based sources, like beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, and seeds.
• Limit alcoholic beverages and foods with sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats.

2. Adjusting Your Diet May Help Treat Nausea

Some desmoid tumor treatment options, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, take a toll on your body. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, which make it harder to get the necessary nutrients.

With intense treatments, it’s important to focus on consuming high-calorie and high-protein foods and beverages for weight maintenance. The American Cancer Society recommends snacking throughout the day on yogurt, cookies, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, and other quick and easy foods. Homemade smoothies or ready-to-drink protein shakes are other great options to increase calorie and protein intake. Drink your beverages between meals to promote more intake of food during mealtimes.

Spicy, fried, or strong-smelling foods can make an upset stomach even worse. Instead, UCSF Health recommends keeping bland, salty foods like saltine crackers or pretzels nearby. Sip on clear broth, water, or juices to stay hydrated.

You’ll also want to take care to avoid foods that make your intestinal side effects worse. For example, if you’re having diarrhea, avoid high-fiber foods, such as raw fruits, raw vegetables, and other hard-to-digest foods.

3. Soft, Creamy Foods May Ease Mouth Sores

Chemotherapy treatment for desmoid tumors can cause painful mouth sores. You may find it harder to eat, swallow, and even speak with these sores. To make it easier on your mouth, Penn State College of Medicine recommends eating plenty of soft, creamy foods. Examples include:

• Frozen treats like popsicles, ice cream, and milkshakes to soothe your mouth
• Creamy or blended soups
• Mashed potatoes with gravy
• Yogurt
• Warm, cooked cereals like cream of wheat
• Eggs
• Puddings and custards

Dry, hard, or rough-textured foods can irritate the sore skin inside your mouth. Try adding sauces or gravies to soften your food for easier chewing. You can also blend food and sip it through a straw to avoid pain while eating. It’s also a good idea to avoid spicy, acidic, and salty foods.

4. Dietary Changes Are Recommended When Living With FAP

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic condition that’s associated with desmoid tumors. People with FAP develop polyps (growths or polyps along the lining of the colon. As a result, they’re at a high risk of developing colon cancer at some point in their lives. One type of FAP — known as Gardner syndrome — is associated with a raised risk of developing desmoid tumors.

Some early stages of research have indicated that a low-inflammatory diet may be beneficial in people with FAP. One report looked at the benefits of following the Mediterranean diet. This eating style focuses on a diet rich in:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Nuts
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat bread
• Legumes, like beans and lentils
• Fish

The diet also includes a moderate amount of fermented dairy products, like cheese and yogurt. It limits intake of butter, added sugars, and red meat. A moderate amount of wine is fine, though if you don’t already drink alcohol, health experts recommend not starting.

Desmoid tumors that develop alongside Gardner syndrome are usually intra-abdominal tumors. These growths are mesenteric — meaning they form in the tissue filled with blood vessels that pad the intestines.

If a tumor begins pressing on your stomach, you may experience abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting. To help relieve these symptoms, try eating smaller meals throughout the day and take your time. You can also try eating bland, cold foods.

5. A Dietitian Can Provide Nutrition Tips

If you want to make healthier diet choices but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a dietitian — a trained professional who will help you with your diet. They’ll create a diet plan designed for your specific needs.

Your dietitian can also make food suggestions based on your desmoid tumor symptoms. If you have an abdominal wall or intra-abdominal desmoid tumor, it can interfere with your ability to eat. Your dietitian can recommend foods that are easier on your stomach while also making sure you’re getting the necessary nutrients.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyDesmoidTumorTeam is the social network for people with desmoid tumor and their loved ones. On MyDesmoidTumorTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with desmoid tumor.

Do you have questions about diets while undergoing desmoid tumor treatment or living with familial adenomatous polyposis? Do you have tips for other members? Share them in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.