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Endometrial Cancer- Stage 3A- Ovary
We have not been able to identify any statically significant proof of efficacy of the chemotherapy treatment for the endometrial cancer. The improvement in the outcomes seems marginal.
Hi David- My wife underwent hysterectomy a month ago. The pathology report showed adenocarcinoma in the uterine. The report also found that the cancer has spread into the left ovary but has not been found in any of the lymph nodes or in any other organ. Based on the fact that the cancer spread in the ovary, the stage of the cancer is determined as 3a, which is an advanced stage that requires chemotherapy even though there is no tumor left in the body.
Both my wife and I are scientists and spent the last 3 weeks exploring statistics on chemotherapy efficacy and side effects. We have not been able to identify any statically significant proof of efficacy of the chemotherapy treatment for the endometrial cancer. The improvement in the outcomes seems marginal.
We are looking to answer 3 questions:
- Is chemotherapy a good idea in my wife’s case?
- What alternative treatments if any should we be looking at in addition to or instead of chemotherapy?
- Do you know if IBM Watson is already real? Or it is still in a very early stage and can’t be used to answer practical questions in the context of our medical problem?
Are there any particular integrative / complimentary solutions or solution providers you recommend?
Any information you may have that can help us make the right educated decision will be highly appreciated. Regards, Harry
Hi Harry-
Your research and questions go to the heart of the debate about conventional “FDA” oncology. I will address your questions below but understand that my thinking is not “conventional.”
“Is chemotherapy a good idea in my wife’s case?”
Based on my experience only if your wife also employs evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies- from nutrition to supplementation and even exercise and mind-body therapies. These are the therapies that I credit with keeping me in complete remission (my cancer is very different from your wife’s). In other words, most cancers in early stage (pre, 1 or sometimes 2) can be managed without conventional chemo or radiation. But once most cancers progress it is difficult to not undergo conventional therapy to kill those cancer/stem cells that theoretically circulate in your wife’s body.
“What alternative treatments if any should we be looking at in addition to or instead of chemotherapy?”
I don’t believe in the vast majority of truly “alternative” treatments. Not because I don’t believe these therapies can’t help but because it is so difficult to determine the efficacy of most therapies that are not conventional. This is why I talk about integrative and complementary therapies in conjunction with conventional therapy.
“ Do you know if IBM Watson is already real? Or it is still in a very early stage and can’t be used to answer practical questions in the context of our medical problem?”
There are several organizations that are working with IBM Watson. However I don’t know if there is any way for laymen like us to be able to access it. Further, you are correct in that IBM Watson will not be able to discuss anything that is not conventional FDA approved oncology.
Are there any particular integrative / complimentary solutions or solution providers you recommend?
Evidence-based integrative therapies will depend on the type of chemotherapy and or radiation that your onc. recommends for your wife. For example, letrezole and curcumin both inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer according to the study linked below. Together they act synergistically against endo cancer. This synergy is what I consider integrative where therapies are concerned.
There are studies that support nutrition, exercise, weight-loss, and other complementary therapies.
Keep in mind that the results came from nude mice not humans. Again, oncology probably will dispute the study. I am not arguing that human results are better than animal results in cancer research. I am saying that cancer patients may take greater risks depending on their type and stage of cancer. I know I did.
I am both a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. I need to spend some time researching therapies for you. In order for me to do more research you need to ask your onc. what chemotherapy regimens he/she is considering for your wife.
Let me know if you have any questions. Hang in there.
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
- Endometrial Cancer- Detoxify to Reduce your Risk of Diagnosis and Relapse
- Vitamin D Exposure Prevents Obesity-Induced Increase in Endometrial Cancer-
- Exercise Can Reduce Endometrial Cancer Risk, Reduce Risk of Relapse
- Hysteroscopy May Disseminate Endometrial Cancer Cells
Aromatase inhibitor letrozole in synergy with curcumin in the inhibition of xenografted endometrialcarcino
“Objective: Endometrial carcinoma is a malignant tumor in the uterus. Its current treatment is not satisfactory. The present study aimed to promote the inhibitory effect on the implanted endometrial tumor growth…Results: Fifty mice were successfully implanted with the endometrial tumor. Treatment with letrozole markedly inhibited the tumor growth; the inhibitor effect was further strengthened by combination with letrozole and curcumin.
The results also showed that letrozole enhanced the expression of Bax and cytochrome c release and suppressed the expression of estrogen receptor in tumor cells. Treatment with curcumin inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 in tumor cells at the mRNA and protein levels. Tumor cell apoptosis was observed in mice treated with either letrozole or curcumin; however, combination of letrozole and curcumin further enhanced the inhibitory rate in tumor growth.
Conclusions: Treatment with either letrozole or curcumin could inhibit the xenografted endometrial tumor growth via inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Combination of letrozole and curcumin further strengthened the inhibitory effect on tumor growth…”