“As hyperthermia is nonmyelosuppressive (MGUS) and can potentiate the tumoricidal effects of radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, its use as part of a multimodality treatment approach is attractive.”
Hi David- You may recall my case by reading the thread below, but in a nutshell I am MGUS, with a slightly elevated level of Kappa free chains.
Since I last wrote to you I had an appt with a nutritionist (can’t hurt, but limited benefit), and on Tuesday I meet with a hematologist/oncologist who I suspect will tell me that nothing can be done about this. But I wait.
I have started on the curcumin capsules suggested in a FB group.
I wanted to address with you the hyperthermia concept. From what I am reading, we as warm blooded creatures cannot achieve on our own more than about a 1 centigrade increase or about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. I read the PubMed source where they talked about the concept you talked about but they mentioned going to 41C or almost 105F.
How in the hell can I accomplish that? It appears there are other sauna benefits for MGUS, just not being able to elevate my internal temp sufficiently.
I have an infrared sauna in my basement. It gets up to around 140F, and when I stay in longer than 1/2 hour (which is my usual), I begin to sweat profusely, which apparently is a good thing for my MGUS.
Hope you are doing well and thank you for reading this. Rich
Hi Rich-
Several things. First and foremost, my experience with pre-MM patients, MGUS in particular, have a risk of progression to MM of 1% annually.
If I remember your diagnostics correctly, your Kappa light chain is only a tiny bit high. My guess is that you are low-risk MGUS.
Your goal is to reduce your already small risk of increasing to MM. Curcumin supplementation will do this.
According to the studies I have read about whole-body hyperthermia, even small increases in internal body temperature will make MM cells, or MM stem cells, weaker and therefore more susceptible to curcumin.
I, myself, have never increased my internal body temperature to 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit. 30-40 minutes in a Finnish sauna at about 175 degrees will increase my internal body temperature to 101-102 degrees.
I know this because I have taken my temperature a few times over the years.
I can’t know if increasing my internal body temp. kills MM cells inside me. I am taking what the studies say and I apply it to my routine. For the record, I do take saunas frequently (3-4 times a week).
Regarding internal body temp. from a Finnish sauna vs. a far infrared sauna, my understanding is that your sauna is lower in room temp. but increases your body temp. from the inside. Finnish sauna increases my body temp. from the outside.
Last but not least, according to studies, sauna, also is good for heavy metals detox, good for brain, heart and blood health. I also find sauna-ing to be relaxing.
My point to you is I think sauna reduces your risk of MM only a small amount. But if you also supplement, exercise regularly, etc. you are reducing an already low risk of progressing to MM.
” Toxic elements were found to differing degrees in each of blood, urine, and sweat. Serum levels for most metals and metalloids were comparable with those found in other studies in the scientific literature. Many toxic elements appeared to be preferentially excreted through sweat. Presumably stored in tissues, some toxic elements readily identified in the perspiration of some participants were not found in their serum. Induced sweating appears to be a potential method for elimination of many toxic elements from the human body…”
“As hyperthermia is nonmyelosuppressive and can potentiate the tumoricidal effects of radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, its use as part of a multimodality treatment approach is attractive. Three forms of hyperthermia have been developed for clinical application: local, regional, and whole body. As WBH addresses the issue of cancer as a systemic disease, it has perhaps the greatest potential for curative success when used as an adjunct to other therapeutic modalities…”
“The use of hyperthermia in cancer therapy had its origin in antiquity. Recently, some have hailed hyperthermia as the new fourth method of cancer therapy, and others have branded the treatment as “quackery” surrounded by mysticism, ignorance, and confusion.
The American Cancer Society has been ambivalent, first placing it on its infamous unproven cancer therapy methods list, along with Laetril, Hoxey’s cancer pills, hot water enemas, snake root oil, and other various and sundry “cancer cures.” A few years ago the Society removed it from its list after deciding that hyperthermia may indeed have a place in future cancer therapy. This brief historical review highlights some of the most important early clinical discoveries and basic laboratory studies, which should help convince even the most avid skeptics of hyperthermia of the necessity of continuing the study of this most controversial form of cancer therapy.”
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2 comments
monique dickerson says
6 months ago
I am interested in learning more about sauna. My husband has been diagnosed with MGUS. Thank you
