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[…] Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment” […]
Reply[…] Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment” […]
Reply[…] Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment” […]
Reply[…] Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment” […]
ReplyMy wife has been diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma with lymph nodes. She has been juicing 8-10 cups of carrot juice for about a month. She recently cut back too 3-5 cups daily. The original ct scan showed mets to liver but current pet scan showed liver clear. She has opted to start chemo to see if that will help. She is really not having any symptoms and last blood work was in range. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
ReplyHi David,
My dad (aged 64) is recently diagnosed with Esophagus / Esophageal stage III cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). Doctors recommended radiation plus chemotherapy for 6 weeks. I want to explore the possibilities of alternative medicine to treat the tumor. Doctors said that the size of the tumor is 28-33 cm and lesions are found in some parts of the body.
I would like to understand the following:
1.Is there an alternative medicine available to treat and shrink the tumor? What may be the available options?
2.Would you be able to guide me us through this process. We live in Hyderabad, India.
Do share your email address so that i can write to you for your guidance, share the reports and next steps.
Thanks
Pavan
HI Pavan,
I am sorry to read of your father’s stage 3 EC diagnosis. I will reply to your question about alternative therapies below. But before I do I just wanted to start with stage 3 prognosis aka 5 year survival average. Keep in mind that this is an average and therefore can be somewhat misleading. For example your dad is younger than the average cancer patient. If he is in good condition, physically speaking, then he is again, ahead of the average cancer patient.
When you say “lesions are found in some parts of the body” I take this to mean that your father’s cancer is “regional” and possibly “distant.” This means that his five year survival is less than localized EC cancer. My point is that your dad must treat his cancer more aggressively that if his EC were localized.
Localized means that the cancer is only growing in the esophagus. It includes AJCC stage I and some stage II tumors (such as those that are T1, T2, or T3, N0, M0). Stage 0 cancers are not included in these statistics.
Regional means that the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues. This includes T4 tumors and cancers with lymph node spread (N1, N2, or N3).
Distant means that the cancer has spread to organs or lymph nodes away from the tumor, and includes all M1 (stage IV) cancers.
Stage
5-Year Relative Survival Rate
Localized
43%
Regional
23%
Distant
5%
Yes, there are alternative EC therapies. Meaning, there are therapies to take that are non-toxic. The challenge you and your dad face when considering alternative therapies is that they are difficult to assess. Meaning, it is difficult to judge a therapy if the “proof” is anecdotal or individual.
Having said this, I believe your father’s therapy regimen should not be alternative but a combination of conventional, integrative and complementary. For example, your dad might undergo surgery or radiation (both conventional) in order to shrink his tumor. At 28-32 cm, his tumor requires immediate treatment to shrink his tumor. Yes, radiation is toxic but I will recommend therapies that research has shown will reduce this toxicity such as resveratrol.
The protective effects of Resveratrol against radiation-induced intestinal injury
Further, I would recommend systemic (body-side) therapy to kill any EC that has spread throughout your dad’s body. Yes, chemo is toxic but again 1) your dad must treat his metastasis quickly and I would recommend and provide integrative therapies shown to enhance the efficacy of the chemo.
You would have to find out what chemo and tell me to research evidence-based integrative therapies. An example would be a chemo called 5-FU- curcumin has been shown to enhance the efficacy of 5-FU in EC.
Further, I believe that your dad should undergo evidence-based non-toxic therapies that also have been shown to be cytotoxic (kill) EC. Again one of these is curcumin, but in addition there are foods and lifestyle therapies that also can help your dad.
Lastly, yes, my job as a cancer coach is to provide online support to both you and your dad through this process. The cancer coaching that is provided by PeopleBeatingCancer also provides caregiver, mind-body, etc. therapies.
This is a long reply to your questions. Let me know if you have any other questions. My email address is david.peoplebeatingcancer@gmail.com.
Hang in there,
David Emerson
Cancer Survivor
Cancer Coach
Director PBC
[…] Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment” […]
ReplyHi Jules,
I am sorry to learn of your husband’s esophageal cancer diagnosis. Yes, depending on what you need, I can help. As a cancer coach, I work with patients and their caregivers to research and provide information about therapies and issues that they are facing.
For example, what therapies are you considering? What therapies has your husband’s oncologist offered? I can provide information about other forms of therapies as well, depending on what you are looking for.
What therapy or therapies is your husband considering?
Thanks
David Emerson
ReplyMy brother was diagnosed with EC. He had radiation and chemo and was set to have surgery to remove the shrunken tumor. He had a pet scan and it showed a lymph node as hot. He just had a biopsy and they removed the lymph node. It is positive for cancer. He is now diagnosed as stage 4. He is 40 years old and we are waiting to hear his treatment process. Can you give me advice on what else he can do? He currently has a feeding tube because he couldn’t eat by the end of his treatments. He ha gotten extremely thin and weak.
ReplyHi Toshia-
I am sorry to read of your brother’s stage 4 EC cancer. Has your brother had the surgery to remove the shrunken EC tumor yet? I ask only because surgical removal (debulking the cancer) would give his body time to rest for other therapies. As you say he has lost weight and is weak.
The next steps in his therapy plan depend largely on if the cancer has been removed. Please let me know.
thanks
David Emerson
ReplyFriend recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal ademocarcinoma. Already going sugar free and plant juicing hard but what are good supplements to aid the healing process?
ReplyHi Kate-
I am sorry to learn of your stage 4 EA. Good to read that you are reducing or eliminating sugar. I also agree with juicing veggies. Curcumin and resveritrol are two supplements that have been shown to kill EC.
I will be direct. Due to your advanced stage I encourage you to use both conventional (FDA approved) and evidence-based non-conventional therapies to treat your cancer. Meaning, use those therapies that your oncologist is recommending as well as curcumin, resveritrol, others, complimentary therapies, exercise, detox, etc.
Are you considering any conventional therapies such as surgery or chemo? Radiation?
David Emerson
Curcumin induces cell death in esophageal cancer cells through modulating Notch signaling.
Resveratrol induces apoptosis in human esophageal carcinoma cells.
Hi my brother is 47 and just been told that he only as months to live .. He as stage 4 lung cancer I have start him on carrot juice but is there any think that can help him ..
ReplyHi Anita-
I am sorry to read of your brother’s stage 4 lunch cancer diagnosis. I am both a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with patients, survivors and caregivers to design a non-toxic, evidence-based program for their cancers.
Let me know if you would like to learn more about cancer coaching.
Please consider:
1) Palliative Care
2) Milk Thistle
3) Curcumin
4) Omega-3 fatty acids
David Emerson
ReplyI’m a 61 yr old male diagnosed in May 2015 with stage 4 esophageal cancer with adenocarcinoma that has spread to regional lymph nodes. After completing 4 chemo treatments from June to mid Aug, I had a progress check. New scans showed chemo every two weeks had shrunk adenocarcinoma fro 8.2 cm to less than half, lymph node cancer had mostly shrunk with two nodes maintaining size. Good news was significant progress with shrinkage of primary tumor and NO spreading to other sites, nodes or organs! I will complete my 8th chemo this week and in early November I will have another progress check with new scans. Since mid Aug I have been using natural supplements to include Curcumin c3 with black pepper, I-6 with inositol, turmeric 1ml daily, vitamin d3, B17. What other natural supplements do you recommend while undergoing chemo to help boost my immune system. My labs have stayed normal since starting chemo in June but for liver functions. Oncologist moved my my chemos starting in August from 2 to 3 weeks apart for liver results to get closer to normal between chemos. My most recent lab test showed all results in normal range. Please advise on natural means to boost immune system and what can be used to fight circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are not picked up on scans, are resistant to chemo and the cause for cancer reappearing after scans show patient is cancer free. Traditional medicine (chemo, radiation, and surgery) ignore these Circulating tumor cells. I am nervous about radiation and surgery. Can natural means be used effectively with chemo? Please advise.
ReplyI was diagnosed in late May 2015 with stage 4 EC from adenocarcinoma that has spread to regional lymph nodes. Started on chemo 2 weeks in late June and had a restaging eval with new sans after completing 1st 4 chemos. scans showed primary tumor had shrunk to less than 1/2 size from 8.2 cm and cancer in nearly all lymph nodes has also shrunk with 2 staying at same size. Good news from that exam was NO spreading to any new sites or organs. Liver functions were high so decision was made to give same chemo drugs every 3 instead of every 2 weeks. Liver and all lab results have improved to Normal ranges. I have started numerous treatments since mid Aug and my personal research that showed conventional medicine chemo addresses tumor and cancer seen on scans but ignores circulating tumor cells (CTCs) not yet seen on scans (not enough concentration)but have major role in cancer spreading and are resistant to chemo. Sine mid August, I have several natural remedies I use each day: Curcumin C3 with Bioperine 3x daily, Turmeric 1ml, baking soda/lemon juice, IP-6 w/Inositol, carrot juice, vitamin d3 5000 IU, apricot seeds 20/ day. I am on a feeding tube (since Initial diagnosis in May) so diet remains constant and immensely helps keeps calories and nutrition coming especially during nausea after chemo. I have another staging eval 2 weeks from now after completing 8 of 12 chemos. If they recommend radiation or surgery after reviewing scans, should I do either or give more time for natural remedies to take effect. I am doing well with chemo, bur nervous about radiation or surgery. Your recommendations/comments please.
ReplyHi Rick-
My impression from reading your post is that you understand that you are in a serious situation with stage 4 esophageal cancer though you are taking a full spectrum approach to your therapy with chemo and integrative and complimentary therapies. Again, my impression is that your positive results “…scans showed primary tumor had shrunk to less than 1/2 size from 8.2 cm and cancer in nearly all lymph nodes has also shrunk with 2 staying at same size. Good news from that exam was NO spreading to any new sites or organs…” is a clear indication that your combination of therapies is working.
While the research remains hazy on the issue of both CTC and cancer stem cells (CSC), I am in agreement with you- conventional therapies may shrink the visible tumor but do not kill CTC or CSC.
I would like to add evidence-based integrative or complimentary supplements for you to consider taking in addition to your list above. I will link blog posts with studies embedded in each. Please read and consider adding to your therapies- based on the studies below, please consider adding omega 3 fatty acids, resveritrol and green tea extract to your regimen.
Pharmacological Intervention through Dietary Nutraceuticals in Gastrointestinal Neoplasia.
Induction of apoptosis by eicosapentaenoic acid in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Green tea and prevention of esophageal and lung cancers.
Regarding your question ” If they recommend radiation or surgery after reviewing scans, should I do either or give more time for natural remedies to take effect. I am doing well with chemo, bur nervous about radiation or surgery. Your recommendations/comments please.”
If in two weeks you are staged again you will have only completed 8 of 12 rounds of chemo if I understand your post. It seems logical to me that before undergoing a different therapy (radiation) you and your onc. will want to 1) finish the full course of chemo and 2) see what happens to your EC after you complete your chemo course (which may take a week or two two finish its job aka cytotoxicity.
I am not against local radiation as your stage and cancer are aggressive though you are correct. You are responding WELL to chemo. I would want to see how the full course of chemo does. Especially if you add fish oil, resveritrol and green tea extract.
Let me know if you have any questions.
David Emerson
ReplyThank you so very very much for your reply. I will definitely adds the naturals you suggested and feel much better about future treatment. I will repost as treatment proceeds with results. I pray what I am pursuing with chemo works and can give hope to those facing similar diagnosis with stage 4!
ReplyRick-
Hang in there and yes, please re-post with questions, updates, etc.
David Emerson
ReplyThank you for your help I will list below what my husband does
,oxygen water
,60 kernels a day
,msm
,Pomi t
,vitamin d and c
,immune system tablet
,every day vitamin
,milk thistle
,black salve
He also juices blackberries blueberries raspberries strawberries pineapple
No sugar no milk cheese or dairy could you email me my email address is uttley.marie@yahoo.co.uk many thanks just hope I’m doing enough
Hi I bought the tablets as seen that this tablet helps do you know of any people that it’s worked on pls
ReplyHi Marie-
There are a couple different ways to answer your question “…do you know of any people that it’s worked on pls.” The short answer is that I believe curcumin, omega 3 fatty acids and melatonin have helped me remain completely cancer free (since 4/99) from my cancer multiple myeloma. If you had any experience with MM you would know that all MM survivors relapse.
The longer answer is that I read accounts of cancer survivors saying that nutritional supplementation helps them. But I can’t cite specific s beyond my own experiences.
thanks and keep in touch,
David Emerson
ReplyHi my husband also has stage 4 asophagus cancer that’s spread to the lymph nodes Will melatonin help him thanks
ReplyHi Marie-
I am sorry to learn of your husband’s esophageal cancer diagnosis. The link below illustrated several EC non-conventional therapies. Specifically, melatonin has shown the ability to fight GERD but not EC specifically.
Ask the Cancer Coach-“Stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment”
What other therapies are you considering?
Hang in there-
David Emerson
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