Recovery of Normal Eating Habits After Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer

After completing radiotherapy, most patients begin to see significant tumor shrinkage and improvement in esophageal narrowing around one month post-treatment. At this stage, patients who respond well to therapy may start trying soft or semi-liquid foods such as porridge or noodles. However, fully returning to a normal diet can be challenging due to residual narrowing of the esophagus and reduced peristaltic function, which can make swallowing less efficient than before the illness.

During the recovery phase, it is recommended that patients focus on liquid or semi-liquid meals. Chewing thoroughly and avoiding hard, coarse, or hot foods is crucial to prevent irritation or damage to the treated area. If difficulty persists three months after treatment, especially with semi-soft foods, further evaluation is necessary to confirm whether the tumor has been adequately controlled.

In some cases, if narrowing remains a significant issue, doctors may perform one or more balloon dilation procedures during endoscopy to widen the esophagus and improve swallowing ability. This minimally invasive technique has proven effective in helping patients regain better nutritional intake and improve overall quality of life after radiotherapy.