INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal cancer jeopardizes the quality of life through physiological, metabolic and psychological alterations. Medicinal fungus may boost the quality of life of patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus fungus in relation to the quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer during post-surgery phase. METHODOLOGY: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial carried out at the Federal District Hospital - Brazil, for six months. Samples of 56 enrolled patients (24 men and 32 women), stadiums phase I, II and III, separated as placebo and Agaricus sylvaticus (30mg/kg/day) supplemented groups: In order to evaluate indicators for quality of life, it was used form-standard and direct anamnese-standard. The method of analysis for results was qualitative and descriptive, using the Microsoft Excel 2003 and Epi Info 2004 programs. RESULTS: After six months of treatment, it was observed an increase of adhesion to physical activity; improved disposition and good mood, reduction of complaints, pains, and alterations of sleep such as insomnia and bad nights of sleep when Agaricus sylvaticus and placebo groups were compared. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus may improve the quality of life of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma in post-surgery phase.
Agaricus sylvaticus fungus; quality of life; colorectal cancer; metabolic alterations; physiologic alterations
