Pain-Less Cancer Therapies For
Lung,
Breast, Prostate, Uterine, and Rare Cancers.
Reagan Houston, MS, PE.
6/22/2009...
Vitamins
Can Kill Cancer, book by R.
Houston
Introduction
In 1969 The National Cancer Institute1 found that vitamin C killed
cancer cells without harming normal cells. Dr. Abram Hoffer, 2
M.D., Ph.D., developed this laboratory test into a clinically demonstrated
procedure for using vitamin C and other standard supplements to help patients with
many types of cancer live longer and
with less pain. This web site is based on improving regular therapies by
strengthening our bodies by adding vitamins and over-the-counter supplements.
The mainline therapies for cancer: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and
hormones, work quite well and we should continue them. However, they
weaken the body. Many clinical tests show that strengthening the body can
greatly improve the results of using these mainline therapies. Vitamins
and supplements have helped many types of advanced cancer patients live much
longer than those patients not strengthening their bodies.
Linus
Pauling2 estimated that for every 8 patients who die of cancer, 7
could be saved by enough vitamins if started early. Irwin Stone3
said that Òthe cancer problem has been solved, and all that is needed now is
the routine large-scale tests to verify this conclusion.Ó HofferÕs extensive demonstrations, confirmed by
others, shows that vitamin therapy can be used now and large-scale tests are
not needed.
The author is a chemical engineer, not a physician. He was diagnosed with
early but aggressive prostate cancer. After an initial PSA of 8.1 and a
Gleason of 6, he used vitamins and triple hormones for about 1 year and then
Proscar plus vitamins for the next 11 years. His cancer is nicely in
remission with an average of PSA of 0.6. His latest PSA is 0.34. Normal
PSA is 0 to 4.0. He has never had chemotherapy, radiation, surgery,
or pain. This is written in love to help others who have cancer. He
has no financial interest in any product or service mentioned here except book
sales. This memo may be distributed for noncommercial use, in part or in
full, in whatever manner the reader wishes without further permission. Please
advise author of such use. Reagan Houston, 600 Carolina Village Rd #165,
Hendersonville, NC 28792, phone and fax 828-692-3722. Send
comments to h@CancerTherapies.org.
This
web site is provided for information only and not as medical advice or
instruction. No action should be taken based solely on this web site;
instead, readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the
risk of all injuries or harm.
Chemotherapy
and radiation are good, standard cancer therapies but even with these,
one-third of cancer patients die in five years.4 Can we improve these therapies? Dr. Abram
Hoffer,2 a physician who
had earned his Ph.D. in vitamins and is the author of Vitamin C and Cancer, chose diet and vitamins to help patients live longer
and to combat the weakening caused by regular therapies. One of HofferÕs early
patients with pancreatic cancer had failed surgery because the tumor at the
head of her pancreas was inoperable. However a bypass was installed. Her doctor
offered no hope. He said she would be dead in three months. But she had hope.
She knew that Norman Cousins (Anatomy of an Illness) had recovered after his doctors had given up.
Cousins had used 15,000 mg/day of vitamin C. Hoffer gave her vitamin C at
35,000 mg/day plus other supplements. Seven months later a CT scan showed no
sign of cancer. Five years later, she decreased her daily dose of vitamin C.
Twenty years after her terrible prognosis, she died at age 79. Even pancreatic
cancer has been controlled! The American Cancer Society4 reports that 96% of pancreatic cancer patients die
within five years.
Hoffer's Multivitamins.
Beginning
in 1978, Hoffer5,6started
a 15-year test on 134 advanced cancer patients. His approach was to counter the
weakening caused by cancer, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy by
strengthening the body and the immune system. He offered vitamins, Table 1, and
diet (low meat, low sugar, high fruits and vegetables). In his test group with
patients having many types of advanced cancers, those who refused vitamins
lived a median of 2.6 months. Those who accepted vitamins lived 45
months or 17 times longer.
|
Table 1. Dr. Hoffer's Regimens |
||
|
|
Early |
Later6 |
|
Vitamin C mg |
12,000 |
12,000 |
|
range |
3,000 to 40,000 |
3,000 to 40,000 |
|
*Vitamin A, IU |
10-50,000 |
|
|
*Beta carotene |
30K-75K |
30,000 IU |
|
Vitamin B complex |
B-50 to B-100 |
1 or 2 of B-100 |
|
Vitamin D-3 |
5,000 IU |
To 19,000 |
|
Vitamin E, IU |
300 |
|
|
Vitamin E succinate |
|
800 IU. |
|
Selenium |
600 mcg |
400 to 600 |
|
Zinc as citrate |
60 mg |
60 mg |
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
|
300 IU |
|
Curcumin |
|
300 mg |
|
*Bioperin |
|
15 mg |
|
* Optional |
|
|
Use
surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in moderation. Then add pills each
day in divided doses with meals. The vitamin C can be the regular ascorbic
acid, sodium ascorbate or a mixture. Calcium and magnesium were occasionally
included by Hoffer.
Hoffer6 has improved his
average regimen by adding vitamin D3 at 4,000 to 6,000 IU, Coenzyme Q10 at 300
mg and a combination of curcumin 3,000 mg with bioperin 15 mg. As a major
change,7 he recommends that patients receive 100,000 mg of sodium
ascorbate by IV daily. He says, ÒIn many cases this kind of very safe
chemotherapy... I think would bring most cancers under control pretty quickly.Ó
To all of his cancer patients, Hoffer offered the vitamin regimen, diet, and
hope based on the results with earlier patients. Those who accepted vitamins
thus had the advantages of vitamins, diet and hope compared to those who
rejected vitamins. Self-selection is not ideal for statistical purposes, but is
typical of real life. Patients who chose vitamins demonstrated hope and hope
helps healing.
What Types Of Cancer?
Hoffer has treated over thirty types of cancers with
impressive results, Table 2. Most of his patients had advanced cancers that
could not be helped by additional surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. For
example, all 32 of the breast cancer patients had surgery, radiation and/or
chemotherapy. The median life of these very sick patients who chose to take
vitamins was 70 months while those without vitamins had a median life of only
3.7 months.
|
Table 2.
Median Survival of Hoffer's Patients with Various Types of Cancer, Months |
||
|
Type of |
With |
Without |
|
Cancer |
Vitamins |
Vitamins |
|
Breast |
70 |
3.7 |
|
Uterus |
99 |
4.0 |
|
Ovary |
16 |
3.6 |
|
Lung |
17 |
2.0 |
|
Pancreas |
40 |
2.4 |
|
All types |
45 |
2.6 |
High-dose
vitamin C appears to act as an antioxidant in most of the body but as a
cancer-killing oxidant within cancer cells. Hoffer's vitamin therapy Òhas
given [his patients] more energy,
has improved depression and anxiety, has created a sense of well being, has eased pain and has often eliminated pain
entirely.Ó2
As
reported by Hoffer, Pauling said ÒThe cancer death rate could be reduced by
25% of its present value...if a reasonable multivitamin regimen were to be
followed regularly by every person.Ó
Cameron's Vitamin C Regimen
Instead of a handful of common vitamins, Dr. Ewan Cameron, MB, ChB,8 Senior Consultant Surgeon in
Scotland, started his patients on vitamin C only. He administered vitamin
C in the form of sodium ascorbate and mostly 10,000 mg/day either orally or
intravenously, IV, for two weeks followed by oral vitamin C continuously. His
vitamin-taking patients lived four times longer than similar patients at the
same hospital who were not given vitamins. Cameron joined with Dr. Linus
Pauling, Ph.D. a double Nobel Laureate, to publish the results in Cancer and
Vitamin C in 1993.
Cameron described his first very advanced cancer
patients. "They responded dramatically indeed, being converted from a
hopeless, terminal 'dying' situation into a hopeful 'recovering' situation." After 8 years and 500 terminal patients
with many types of cancer, Cameron concluded that vitamin C is not a miraculous
cure but a major step forward.
Cameron
and a few doctors report "ascorbic acid" when they mean sodium
ascorbate. Ascorbic acid is too acid for intravenous injection. Cameron's
patients took vitamin C as sodium ascorbate solution, Table 3. Intravenous
sodium ascorbate can be made as Cathcart9
indicated.
|
Table 3. Sodium Ascorbate
Solution |
|
|
Ascorbic acid |
167
grams |
|
Sodium
bicarbonate |
80
grams |
|
(baking soda) |
|
|
Water and then juice to |
1000 ml |
Fifteen
ml taken four times a day preferably with meals provides 10,000 mg/day of
ascorbate. The refrigerated solution has a shelf life of about one month. The
water solution has almost no taste. Add water first and then juice to minimize
foaming.
Example-Prostate Cancer
Cameron
reported many specific cases in considerable detail. Case VÕ was for a retired
navy admiral with widespread prostatic cancer, diagnosed in January 1971 and
confirmed by a biopsy. He refused hormone therapy as possibly feminizing, and
started vitamin C at 8,000 mg/day. After 14 months, the cancer was somewhat
smaller and the dose reduced to 1,000 mg/day. After 2 years, the cancer was
again growing and he increased the dose to 10,000 mg/day. In 1978 surgery was
required to remove the bladder-neck obstruction caused by the cancerous
prostate gland. At this time a bone scan showed metastases to the pelvic bone.
He increased his vitamin C to 12,000 and then 20,000 mg/day, added high doses
of vitamin A and a vegetarian diet with good effect. He suffered a stroke in
1979 but recovered nearly completely. At age 78 and 8 years after diagnosis, he
is active and apparently free cancer symptoms. His unorthodox and unadvisable
treatment, according to Cameron, shows the effect of variable amounts of
vitamin C on changing cancer growth.
Other Regimens
Many other doctors have successively used vitamin C as cancer therapy and
published their results. Irwin Stone, D.Sc.,10
author of The Healing Factor: Vitamin C against Disease; Robert Cathcart, MD11 a physician in Los Altos, California; Fukumi
Morishige, MD12 in
Fukuoka, Japan and Hugh Riordan, MD13
in Wichita, Kansas, successfully used vitamin C in the form of intravenous
sodium ascorbate. Hoffer was able to successfully use oral vitamin C by
including vitamin E and other vitamins.
Drs. Edward Creagan,14 and
Charles Moertel,15
physicians at Mayo Clinic, used ascorbic acid at 10,000 mg/day without success.
Creagan's randomized test used patients whose immune system had been decimated
by prior chemotherapy. Moertel administered vitamin C for an average of only
2.5 months although the test lasted over 14 months. Also, they did not administer
IV sodium ascorbate or other vitamins. Dr. Mary L. Lesperance16 followed most of HofferÕs
Average Regimen but omitted vitamin E and E succinate. She also chose control
patients who were less sick than the test patients. Her test patients did not
live longer than the controls. Importantly, none of these three trials used
CameronÕs or HofferÕs regimens. The regimens of Creagan, Moertel, and
Lesperance showed that some regimens do not work. They do not show that all regimens for vitamin C do not work.
Immune
System Strength
With
a strong immune system, IS, and strong white blood cells, the IS can fight
infections, bacteria, viruses, toxins, poisons, dead cells and other problems.
The white blood cells are weak if the vitamin C level in the blood (called plasma
ascorbate level) is low. Doctors routinely measure white blood cell count but
rarely plasma ascorbate or white blood cell strength.
Ask
your doctor to measure your plasma ascorbate as an indication of your IS
strength. If that doesnÕt work, you can measure it yourself. Suitable urine
dipsticks are available from The Bright Spot.17,18 If the dark blue
spot shows little or no change, your blood ascorbate indicates scurvy or near
scurvy. Light blue-green is normal and light yellow indicates a high plasma
ascorbate and strong white blood cells. Cancer patients recover far better with
a high plasma ascorbate (Personal communication from Dr. J. A. Jackson at the
Bright Spot) Chemotherapy, radiation and cancer all lower the plasma ascorbate
and may cause scurvy.
Scurvy?
DidnÕt scurvy disappear when
sailors started eating citrus fruit? No! In the last few years, several groups19,20
have had their plasma ascorbate measured. At 3 different hospitals, out
patients tested with 5, 6, and 6.3% scurvy. Probably none of them knew they had
scurvy since symptoms are so common and variable. At a hospital,19
19% of inpatients had scurvy, as did 30% of cancer patients in a hospice.21
With low plasma ascorbate our health is weakened. If your oncologists says to
stay away from crowds to avoid catching something, he is saying what he would
say if you had scurvy.
While we are fighting cancer, we should fight poor health simultaneously. Vitamin C can be a big part of cancer therapy and good health.
Vitamin C Is Safe
Many
people have taken 30,000 mg/day for years. Several doctors11,13 have given 200,000 mg/day
by IV. Some claim that vitamin C ÒmightÓ cause kidney stones although doctors
who give large doses of vitamin C rarely if ever see stones in these patients.
Ascorbic acid can make the urine acidic to dissolve possible stones.
Excessive vitamin C can cause diarrhea. People with cancer can frequently take
30,000 mg/day while well people have a typical limit of 3,000 to 10,000 mg/day.
If people on therapeutic doses of vitamin C develop diarrhea, the dose should
be reduced. Actually, diarrhea is a useful blessing because it provides a
simple measure of the proper dosage for each individual.11 HofferÕs
patients took from 3,000 to 40,000 mg/day. This illustrates the wide range of
dosages for individual cancer control. Humans cannot make the vitamin C they
need3 although most animals can. A 150-pound goat can make 13,000
mg/day- -a reasonable dose for people with cancer. Hoffer and Cameron both
advised their patients to continue a high dose of vitamin C indefinitely. Table
4 includes some of the precautions, side effects, and alternatives listed by
Riordan.13 However, Cameron and Hoffer did not report that they
followed the precautions in step 5.
|
Table 4. Precautions with High-Dose Vitamin C |
|
1. Build up the dose by about 1,000 or 2,000 mg/day to minimize
diarrhea and other problems. |
|
2. If necessary, decrease the dose slowly to allow the body to adjust. |
|
3. Vitamin C -- especially ascorbic acid -- may cause gas, upset
stomach or skin itch. If this problem occurs, consider using sodium ascorbate
or calcium ascorbate. |
|
4. Excess sodium intake from sodium ascorbate is possible. Consider
using calcium ascorbate or ascorbic acid. |
|
5. Some people have a rare immune deficiency called
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. These people may not be able to take large
doses of vitamin C without getting acute anemia. |
|
6. For their own safety people should work with a doctor knowledgeable
about vitamins. All people may not be able to use high doses of vitamin C. |
As
reported in 1969, Dr. L Benade1
et al at the National Cancer Institute found that, in cultures, vitamin C
selectively destroyed cancer cells by generating excess intracellular H2O2. When vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and neutralizes
free radicals, it produces dehydroascorbate, DHA, an oxidant. The DHA is then
converted to ascorbate and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2,
by an oxidation/reduction process. Cancer cells are less able than normal cells
to neutralize H2O2 because they are deficient in
an enzyme called catalase. Dr. D.B Agus22
et al reported that cancer cells have extra glucose channels that rapidly bring
in glucose and excess DHA. Cancer cells are defective in that they cannot fully
distinguish between glucose and DHA. Normal cells need and take in DHA, but
they can control the amount taken in. This may explain why vitamin C is safe in
large doses for normal cells but toxic to cancer cells. The good results of
Cameron and Hoffer with humans confirm the National Cancer Institute lab tests.
Boik23 presents
another view of how vitamins might kill cancer. He lists seven traits that
distinguish cancer, Table 5, and vitamins that are or may be therapeutic for
each step. He describes how various vitamins combat each of these traits. He
does not give any test results.
HofferÕs vitamins fight each of the traits with at least four vitamins and
minerals. Vitamin C combats 6 of the 7 traits. Cancer mutates as it tries to
survive but vitamins can continue to combat each trait. Based on the long-term
experiences of Hoffer and Cameron, cancer mutation may not be a problem with
vitamin C. BoikÕs vitamins appear to be better suited to early or less
aggressive cancers. Hoffer and Cameron had very advanced cancer patients.
|
Table 5.
Seven Traits of Cancer And Their Therapeutic Vitamins |
|
|
|
1. Defective DNA or bad genes, |
|
Vitamins A, C, D, E and selenium |
|
2. Abnormal growth factors within the cells, |
|
Vitamins
A, C, D, E calcium and selenium |
|
3. Abnormal growth factors outside the cells, |
|
Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and selenium |
|
4. Excess growth despite surrounding cells and tissue, |
|
Vitamins A, C, D, E and selenium |
|
5. Abnormal blood-vessel growth, angiogenesis, |
|
Vitamins A, C, D, E and selenium |
|
6. Spread of cancer to new locations and |
|
Vitamins A, B12, C, D, E and selenium |
|
7. Ability to hide from the immune system. |
|
Vitamins A, E, zinc and selenium. |
Hickey and Roberts24 in
their excellent book Ascorbate, The Science of Vitamin C, 2004, carefully explain the basic science and delve deeply
into the controversy of vitamin requirements and therapy results. They list 6
references that attempt to explain the mechanism by which vitamin C controls
cancer. The important point is that vitamin C does combat cancer with
excellent success.
Vitamins without Radiation and Chemotherapy
Can
vitamins lengthen the lives of patients who do not receive radiation or
chemotherapy? Surgery for operable cancer is usually advisable to remove all or
almost all of the cancer. The body than has less cancer to fight. Radiation
aims to kill cancer locally while chemotherapy works throughout the body. Both
therapies are poisons that kill healthy cells. An unfortunate disadvantage for
standard therapies is that they provide only surgery, radiation, chemotherapy,
and occasionally hormones as tools to fight cancer. When these cease to control
the cancer, the oncologist can only give up or continue radiation and
chemotherapy hoping to give slight hope to the patient. This is often false
hope.15 If given beyond the therapeutic dosage; radiation and
chemotherapy may even shorten the life of the patient while decreasing his
quality of life. Excess chemotherapy may be harmful to the patient but a
placebo for the doctor. However, radiation is often helpful for pain control,
even though not helpful for treating the cancer.
All of Cameron's early 100 patients had had surgery and radiation as
appropriate. Chemotherapy was generally not offered in Scotland at the
time. The use of vitamin C without surgery or radiation was thus
untested. Almost all of Hoffer's early patients had prior surgery,
radiation, and/or chemotherapy as prescribed by their oncologists. Some
patients continued these therapies. Of HofferÕs initial test group of 134
patients, Table 6 describes the results of patients who avoided radiation and
chemotherapy although many had surgery.
|
Table
6. Median Life of Patients Who Avoided Radiation and Chemotherapy, months |
||
|
Therapy |
With |
Without |
|
|
Vitamins |
Vitamins |
|
No surgery |
16 |
1.6 |
|
With surgery |
68 |
8 |
|
No. of patients |
43 |
13 |
These results are from a very small group and may not be typical.
Vitamins appear to be better than nothing but this is only indicated.
In 1973 Cameron reported on an experimental but successful clinical test of
vitamin C for 50 cancer patients. However, the medical community requires that
new cancer therapies pass large, randomized and preferably double blind tests.
Is this reasonable? Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were each accepted in
desperation without randomized tests against each other. Neither radiation nor
chemotherapy can be given randomized, double blind tests versus each other
because of the obvious and debilitating side effects. These therapies were
accepted in comparison with historic experience. To require vitamins to pass
tests that radiation and chemotherapies have not and cannot pass raises
questionable logic. Based on common sense, the randomized and double blind
tests should be required only on poisonous or hazardous
therapies.
Hickey24 gives a thorough review of
how to evaluate a proposed therapy. A few simple questions are sufficient:
1. Has it helped others?
2. Might it help me?
3. Is it safe?
4. Does it assist other therapies?
Vitamins rate ÔyesÕ on all questions. The new question becomes, "Doctor,
why are you not giving me
high-dose vitamin C?"
There are reasons that oncologists don't administer high-dose vitamin C, but
are they good reasons? Many doctors object to people taking antioxidants
simultaneously with radiation or chemotherapy because they believe that the
vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant, ÒmightÓ protect the cancer cells. However
Davis W. Lamson,25 M.S.,
N.D., summarized thirty-six clinical tests where antioxidants were used with
radiation or chemotherapy. The antioxidants were helpful in thirty-one cases,
neutral or possibly helpful in five and adverse in none. Judith O. Stoute26 reviewed 44 articles
regarding the use of vitamin C with chemotherapy. She found 36 positive studies
or reviews, one neutral study, 2 negative reviews and 4 responses to the
negative reviews. Because vitamin C, radiation, and some chemotherapies appear
to kill cancer by a similar mechanism, vitamin C can generally be used with
radiation and chemotherapy.
Oncologists are trained in the use of mainline therapies. They are frequently
not allowed by peer pressure or state medical boards to recommend ÒunapprovedÓ
therapies such as vitamin C. Doctors are probably not allowed to recommend
other doctors or patients who know about vitamins as therapy. Doctors
donÕt want their peers or prospective patients calling them quacks! Doctors
knowledgeable about vitamins are not allowed to treat cancer but they can
strengthen people with cancer. This distinction is important and most
useful.
Patients need oncologists and their extensive knowledge. However those who
want to use vitamins to augment regular therapies may work with a second doctor
knowledgeable about vitamins as a team member with the oncologist. Doctors
who can assist cancer patients with nutrition and vitamins may be located at
The American College for Advancement of Medicine (www.acam.org). Also the phone
book may list integrative, complementary, or alternative doctors. One can
inquire of dietitians, home care nurses, compounding pharmacists,
chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, and support group members to locate
medical professionals who know vitamins.
Tests on Vitamins
Large, randomized tests are useful for poisonous therapies that are expected to
show small improvements. These tests are sufficiently expensive that the drug
companies will probably never support low-profit vitamins. The U.S. government,
in close contact with the drug companies, has not repeated either Cameron's or
Hoffer's therapy. Creagan's and Moertel's two tests with different procedures
and results did not show that vitamin C to be harmful. Their claim (that
vitamin C does not help cancer patients) applies only to their regimens.
Cameron's clinical trial (even with retrospectively matched controls) is
convincing because the vitamin-taking patients lived four times as long as
those without vitamin C. Hoffer's multivitamin detailed results are also
convincing. Many doctors have used high-dose vitamins for cancer therapy: 1,300
by Hoffer and 1,000 by Cameron. They believe that vitamins for cancer therapy
are sufficiently tested that they can now be used with proper medical
supervision.
As Hickey points out, the benefits of ascorbate therapy clearly outweigh the
risks.
Patient Options
Patients
in a hospice situation might well consider ascorbate vitamins. For them,
the oncologist realizes that surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have helped
as much as they can and doctors knowledgeable about vitamins are available.
Terminal patients are frequently willing to try experimental
therapies. Terminal patients often enter experimental clinical trials. In
these tests half of the patients often get a placebo and thus are not
helped. Vitamins are safer and offer more hope to terminal patients- -hope
based on clinical trials of over a thousand people. CameronÕs first patients
were too sick to be helped by regular therapies but vitamin C did help them
considerably and also reduced their pain. Patients with an initial cancer diagnosis
might also consider Cameron's or Hoffer's vitamin therapy. This situation is
less tested but general experience says that early treatments often work better
than the same treatment given later.
The government's recommended amount of vitamins is based on healthy people.
Sick patients need extra vitamins. Hoffer's success is at least partly due to a
good diet and extra vitamins. Some patients, at their own risk, may
quietly add vitamins to regular therapies without the knowledge of their oncologist. Keeping
everyone fully involved is safer.
Discussion
Regular cancer therapies are only moderately
successful. CameronÕs vitamin C therapy and HofferÕs multivitamin cancer
therapies are reasonably well tested even if not given a randomized test.
Vitamin C is very safe and its side effects are apparently temporary. A therapy
based on work at the National Cancer Institute may explain why vitamin C, an
antioxidant, can act as an oxidant within cancer cells. This mechanism
applies to all types of cancer that take in excess glucose. This may explain why
Hoffer obtained good results with 30 types of cancer. We have the hope
that all, yes all, cancer patients may eventually be helped by HofferÕs safe
and economical therapy.
The therapies of Cameron and Hoffer have not been given randomized tests and
probably wonÕt- -for lack of money. Most oncologists do not study vitamins as
cancer therapy and are not trained or allowed to prescribe vitamins as cancer
therapy. Doctors knowledgeable about vitamins but not certified as
oncologists can prescribe vitamins to strengthen cancer patients but not as
cancer therapy. Thus two types of doctors may be needed for a patientÕs care
and safety. Vitamin therapies may be given to terminal cancer patients under
proper medical supervision.
The
advantages of vitamin C are tabulated in Table 7.
|
Table 7. Advantages of Vitamin C Therapies1,2,6,8 |
|
¥ Systemic therapy rather than local, |
|
¥ No long-term side effects, |
|
¥ Often relieve pain within two weeks, |
|
¥ Fifteen-year clinical test with 134 patients by Hoffer |
|
¥ Over 1,300 patients treated by Hoffer and 1,000 by Cameron |
|
¥ Helpful with most or all types of cancer, |
|
¥ Apparently are not limited by cancer mutation, |
|
¥ Economical |
|
¥ Materials available over the counter
(use with professional supervision for safety) |
|
¥ Safe for use now but development should improve results. |
Conclusion
Although CameronÕs and HofferÕs vitamin therapies are demonstrated effective,
they are unapproved. Unapproved does not mean unworkable or unsafe. Unapproved
is a political conclusion of the Federal Drug Administration, FDA.
Radiation and chemotherapies were accepted by comparison with existing
therapies. Vitamin therapies, being very safe, can also be accepted by
comparison with historic results. Patients choosing vitamin therapy should
work proper medical supervision for their own safety and for best results.
The author, a research chemical engineer, was leader of a prostate cancer
support group. When his prostate cancer was diagnosed twelve years ago,
his PSA, a measure of the cancer, was eight and doubling every six months -- a
sign of aggressive cancer. A PSA of four or less is normal. He chose
intermittent triple hormone therapy (Lupron, Eulexin and Proscar) and Hoffer
type vitamins, both highly experimental in 1997. After one year, he stopped the
Lupron and Eulexin but continued the Proscar and vitamins. His PSA has averaged
0.6 for the last 12 years and is now 0.34. He has never had nor needed surgery,
chemotherapy, or radiation of any kind. He has never had pain from cancer or
its therapy.
Thanks are due Dr. Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D. for his advice and suggestions,
and to Townsend Letters for Doctors and Patients for publishing much of my work with some of it
republished here.
References for Vitamins, Cancer, and Hope
1.
Benade L, Howard T and Burke D. Synergistic killings of Ehrlich ascites
carcinoma cells by ascorbate and 3 amino-1, 2, 4-triazole. Oncology.1969;23:33-43.
2.
Hoffer A. Vitamin C and cancer, discovery, recovery, controversy. 2000, Kingston, Ontario: Quarry Press.
3. Stone
I. Scurvy and the cancer problem. American Laboratory. September 1976: 21-30.
4.
Cancer facts and figures 2005. American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA.
5.
Hoffer A and Pauling L. Hardin Jones biostatistical analysis of mortality data
for cohorts of cancer patients with a large fraction surviving at the
termination of the study and a comparison of survival times of cancer patients
receiving large regular doses of vitamin C and other nutrients with similar
patients not receiving those doses. J of Orthomolecular Medicine. 1990;5:143-154.
6.
Hoffer A and Pauling L. Hardin Jones biostatistical analysis of mortality data
for a second set of cohorts of cancer patients with a large fraction surviving
at the termination of the study and a comparison of survival times of cancer
patients not receiving these doses. J of Orthomolecular Medicine.1993;8:1547-167.
7.
Letter, A. Hoffer to R. Houston, January 18, 2005.
8.
Cameron E and Pauling L. Cancer and Vitamin C. 1993, Philadelphia, PA: Camino Books.
9.
Cathcart RF. Preparation of Sodium Ascorbate for IV and IM Use (For M.D.'s
only). Downloaded July 1, 2005,
http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitciv.html.
10.
Stone I, The healing factor -- vitamin C against disease. 1972, New York, NY: Grosset and Dunlap.
11.
Cathcart RF. Vitamin C, titrating to bowel tolerance, anascorbia, and acute
induced scurvy. Medical Hypotheses.1981;7:1359-1376.
12.
Morishige F & Murata A. Prolongation of survival in terminal human cancer
by administration of supplemental ascorbate. Journal of International
Academy of Preventative Medicine.1979;5:47-52.
13.
Riordan NH, Riordan HD, Meng X, Li Y and Jackson JA. Intravenous ascorbate as a
tumor cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. Medical Hypotheses.
1995;44:207-213.
14.
Creagan ET, Moertel CG, O'Fallon JR et al. Failure of high-dose vitamin C
(ascorbic acid) therapy to benefit patients with advanced cancer. New
England J of Medicine.1979;301:687-690.
15.
Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Creagan ET, Rubin J, OÕConnell MJ and Ames MM.
High-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced
cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy. New England J of Medicine. 1985;312:137-41.
16.
Lesperance ML, Olivotto IA, Forde N et al. Mega-dose vitamins and minerals in the
treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer: an historical cohort study. Breast
Cancer Research and Treatment.
2002;76:137-143.
17. The Bright Spot, 3100 N. Hillside Ave., Wichita, KS, 67219, phone 800-447-7276, Fifty dipsticks cost about $16.00 including shipping.
18. Jackson JA, Wong K, Krier C and Riordan HD. Screening for vitamin C in the urine: is it clinically significant?
Journal of Orthomolecular
Medicine, 2005;204(4):259-262 and personal
communication May 31, 2008.).
19.
Gan R, Eintracht S and Hoffer J. Vitamin C deficiency in a
university teaching hospital. J of American College of Nutrition. 2008;27(3):428-433.
20.
Johnston CS and Thompson LL. Vitamin C status of an outpatient population. J
of the American College of Nutrition.
1998;17(40):366-370.
21. Mayland CR, Bennett MI and Allan K. Vitamin
C deficiency in cancer patients. Palliative Medicine. 2006;19:17-20.
22.
Agus DB, Vera JC and Golde DW. Stromal cell oxidation: a mechanism by
which tumors obtain vitamin C. Cancer Research. 1999;59:4555-4558.
23.
Boik J. Natural compounds in cancer therapy. 2001, Princeton, Mn: Oregon Medical Press.
24.
Hickey S & Roberts H. Ascorbate, The Science of Vitamin C.2004, United Kingdom: Lightning Source UK.
25.
Lamson DW and Brignall MS. Antioxidants and cancer therapy II: quick reference
guide. Alternative Medical Review.
2000;5(2):152-163.
26.
Stoute JA. The use of vitamin C with chemotherapy in cancer treatment: an
annotated bibliography. J of Orthomolecular Medicine. 2004;19(4):198-245.
Acknowledgements
We
thank Abram Hoffer and Steve Hickey for extensive comments and discussion.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is an optional therapy that may be added to the vitamin therapy.
Coenzyme Q10 or Co Q10 is a vitamin or vitamin-like enzyme that is present in
foods and also made by the body. Absorption varies from person to person.
Oil based gel caps allow better absorption than dry pills. Co Q10
strengthens the immune system and is basic to the energy production of every
cell in the body. It strengthens white blood cells rather than just
producing more of them. It helps the T cells to recognize cancer cells. Co
Q10 reportedly can minimize high blood pressure, heart attack, angina,
periodontal disease, lack of energy and obesity. Co Q10 also has
cancer-killing abilities.
As you might expect from this wide list of helps, it can extend the life of
animals and probably humans. For example, few mice of one type live longer
than 104 weeks. In one test, half of the cancer-free mice were given
weekly injections of Co Q10 when they were 68 weeks old. That is already old
for a mouse. At week 96, 70 % of the controls had died of old age but only
40 % of the treated mice. At week 104, all of the control mice were dead
but 40 % of the treated mice were still alive. All of the treated mice
were dead by week 150.
In one small test 15 patients had hormone refractory prostate cancer and a
rising PSA. They were given 600 mg/day of oil based Co Q10. In 100
days, 10 of the patients (67 %) had shrinkage of the prostate gland size and
stabilized PSA readings. Excellent. Therapies that work fairly well
with advanced cancer often work wonderfully well for early cancer.
Apparently 10 % of the Japanese do or did take Co Q10. For them it is a
prescription drug. In Denmark, Lockwood1-3
had 32 breast cancer patients whose cancer had spread to the lymph
nodes. The regular treatment protocol included vitamin C 2850 mg, vitamin
E 2500 I.U., beta carotene 32.5 I.U., selenium 387 mcg, linolenic acid (an
omega 3 essential fatty acid) 3.5 gm. To the test patients, Lockwood added
Co Q10 at 90 mg. Results were excellent in the 18-month trial.
1. None
died although 4 deaths were expected.
2. There
was no sign of further distant spread of the cancer.
3. Their
Quality of Life improved. None lost weight and there was reduced use of
painkillers.
4. 6
patients of the 32 showed partial remission.
5. For
two of these 6, the Co Q10 was increased from 90 to 300 and 390
mg/day. After 2 months, x-ray showed an absence of the tumor in one
patient. The other patient had had a lumpectomy that did not remove the
entire tumor. After 3 months at 390 mg there was no residual tumor.
Folkers4 found increased survival of
5 to 15 years in 8 case studies. Most studies of Co Q10 have been on the
cardiovascular system and periodontal disease. Cancer is third in
studies. The common connection is probably strengthening the immune
system.
References for CoQ10
1. Lockwood
K. Apparent partial remission of breast cancer in Ôhigh riskÕ patients supplemented
with nutritional antioxidants, essential fatty acids and coenzyme Q10. Molecular
Aspects of Medicine. 1994;15 Suppl:
s231-40.
2.
Lockwood K. Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the
regression of metastases. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications.1995 July 6; 212(1):172-177.
3.
Lockwood K. Partial and Complete Regression of Breast Cancer in Patients in
Relation to Dosage of Coenzyme Q10. Biochemical and Biophysical Research
Communications.March 30, 1994;199(3):1504-1508.
4.
Folkers K. Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10. Biochemical
Biophysical Research Communications.
April 15, 1993;192(1):241-5.
Flaxseed Oil and Cottage Cheese
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil sound too simple to be a cancer therapy. Yet
there is strong technical evidence to show that flaxseed helps. Combining
flaxseed oil with cottage cheese gives a spectacular set of testimonials. For
someone dying of advanced cancer, the combination has essentially no risk,
negligible cost but great hope and a reasonable possibility of cancer
remission. It appears that actual tests on a specific group of patients
have not been reported. But if patients have advanced cancer, what have
they got to lose? More important, what have they got to
gain? Life!
Testimonials indicate that many advanced cancer patients taking flaxseed oil
and cottage cheese can have good pain relief within 2 weeks. Measurable
improvement in the cancer size and blood cell counts can be expected within
about 3 months if the therapy is working for a particular patient. Side
effects are apparently negligible.
The procedure for using flaxseed oil, FO, is simple. For a 150-pound
person, 3 to 6 tablespoons, TBS, of fresh flaxseed oil are thoroughly mixed
with half to 1 cup of low fat cottage cheese, then flavored to taste such as
with fruit or honey and eaten in one or more servings during the day. The success
rate is unknown but some reports give 90 % with many types of cancer including
breast and prostate cancer. In a few cases where the patient could not
swallow, therapy was started by an enema of flaxseed oil and skim milk.
There are important warnings. The flaxseed oil must be cold pressed and
kept refrigerated to prevent oxidation of the omega 3 fatty acid. In local
health food stores, ÒBarleanÕsÓ is one brand. Storage life of the oil is 1
year in the freezer and 4 months in the refrigerator. Do not substitute
any pills or processed or heated flaxseed product for the oil. Three TBS.
of flaxseed can be used instead of one of the TBS of flaxseed oil if the seed
is ground (in a coffee grinder) immediately before mixing with the cottage cheese.
Do not grind more than will be consumed in one day. After the cancer is in
remission, the above dosage can be cut but FO and cottage cheese must be
continued or the cancer will return.
Dr. Johanna Budwig, M. D.1,2 in
Germany apparently developed and publicized the flaxseed oil and cottage cheese
therapy. Budwig developed the steps of using very fresh flaxseed oil and
mixing it with low fat cottage cheese before consumption. For some
patients, she recommended a low sugar and vegetarian diet as well as FO.
Budwig
claims that cottage cheese is a necessary ingredient for cancer therapy and
that without cottage cheese, flaxseed oil is harmful to cancer
patients. Dr. Charles E. Myers, Jr., M. D.,3 also advises against flaxseed oil for prostate cancer
patients. He cites several studies showing that flaxseed oil increases the
risk of getting prostate cancer. Dr. Myers did not comment on cottage
cheese with the flaxseed oil therapy.
Some patients have taken chemotherapy or radiation with FO. Frequently the
white blood cell count will go up or not drop as rapidly as a doctor would
expect. Some of these patients have continued FO therapy only and gone
into remission. Some patients who continued FO plus chemotherapy or
radiation have DIED. A possible guess as to the cause is that the FO
improved the blood cell counts more than it strengthened the bodyÕs ability to
withstand chemotherapy or radiation. This could lead the doctor to give an
excessive dose. As a possible alternate, a patient can consider continuing the
FO, discontinuing or minimizing the chemotherapy or radiation but checking
frequently to see if the cancer is going into or staying in
remission. Remember, vitamin therapy strengthens the immune system while
chemotherapy and radiation weaken it. In addition to cancer, flaxseed oil and
cottage cheese are reported by some to also be good for arthritis,
cardiovascular health, diabetes, energy, and impotence.
The effectiveness of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese has not been proven nor do
I know of a good demonstration. Boik4
lists good technical references on flaxseed and omega 3 fatty
acids. Karmali5 finds that omega
3 fatty acids and flaxseed oil are beneficial in the control of DU-145 human
prostate cancer implanted in mice. Other references are included.
Flaxseed oil contains 55 % of an omega 3 fatty acid called linolenic
acid. Linolenic acid tends to balance the omega 6, hydrogenated, and
saturated fatty acids that we consume. Boik lists the following ways in
which omega 3 fatty acid can help control cancer.
1.
Inhibits the development of colon and pancreatic cancers.
2.
Inhibits the growth of prostate, mammary, colon and pancreatic cancers.
3.
Increase the fluidity of tumor cell membranes and thus their sensitivity to
chemotherapy drugs.
4.
Omega 3 fatty acid is cytotoxic to human breast, prostate and lung cancer cells
but not toward normal cells when tested in cultures.
5.
Increases the amount of prostaglandin PGE3, which is good, and decreases the
amount of PGE2. PGE2 promotes the spread of cancer to the bone, decreases
survival, and inhibits natural killer cell activity.
6.
Decreases new blood vessel growth, angiogenesis.
7.
Decreases cachexia or body wasting which finally kills many cancer patients.
The following anecdotes are by permission from Cliff Beckwith.
ÒIn
ÔHow to Fight Cancer and WinÕ,6 an
account is given of a young women, 35, who had cancer so advanced she could no
longer eat. She was given enemas of flaxseed oil and skim milk. In a
short time she was able to eat and in 3 months she was home taking care of the
family.Ó
In another case from a man using flaxseed oil and cottage cheese: Òthe doctor
said his bladder had crystallized and lost its elasticity. He couldnÕt
stay out of the bathroom 15 minutes... The doctor said it was a condition heÕd
just have to live with. After taking flaxseed oil and cottage cheese for a
while, he went to the doctor for a physical. ...The doctor examined him and
said, ÔMr. C., youÕve had cancer in your bladder and itÕs gone. The
bladder is elastic again and everything is back to normal.ÕÓ
ÒA friend of ours has an uncle, 72, who was badly off with prostate cancer and
preparing to die...He got the information and began using the oil. We
didnÕt hear for some time, but one day I saw his brother-in-law and he said,
ÔOh, heÕs doing great! HeÕs going to meetings and thereÕs no more thought
of dying. HeÕs telling everyone about the value of flax oilÕ.Ó
Flaxseed Alone
Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried,7 a
research professor at Duke University, had a prostate cancer patient whose
biopsy showed high levels of pre-cancerous cells throughout his prostate
gland. He was put on a low fat (20 %) diet plus 30 grams (3 tablespoons)
of freshly ground flaxseed. Cottage cheese was not included. Three
months later, his PSA had fallen from 5.9 to 2.7. Six months after the
start, his PSA was 2.6 and a biopsy indicated a complete absence of
pre-cancerous cells. Next, she worked with about two dozen patients who
were scheduled to have a radical prostatectomy. They were put on about the
same diet. In 2 to 3 weeks, their average cholesterol dropped from 196 to
162 mg/dl. For those patients who started with a Gleason score of 6 or
less, the average PSA dropped from 8.3 to 6.7. Pathological examination of
the prostate showed beneficial changes, even in this short period. The
authors commented, ÒThese data provide evidence that a flaxseed supplemented,
fat restricted diet may have a biological effect on established prostate cancer
which may be mediated through a hormonal mechanism ...Ó The lignan in
flaxseed is estrogenic and may act similarly to Lupron.
Testimonials are generally a poor basis for choosing a therapy. However
the cost and hazards are minimal with flax.
References for Flax
1.
Erasmus, Udo. Fats That Heal - Fats That Kill. 1993, Vancouver, British Columbia:Alive Books.
2.
Budwig, Johanna, M.D. Flaxoil As a True Aid Against Arthritis, Heart
Infraction, Cancer and Other Diseases.1994,
Vancouver, BC: Apple Publishing Co.
3.
Myers CE, Prostate Forum, August
2000.
4.
Boik, John. Cancer & Natural Medicine. 1996, Princeton, MN: Oregon Medical Press.
5.
Karmali, Rashid. The effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on the DU-145
transplantable human prostatic tumor. Anticancer Research. 1987;7:1173-1180.
6.
Fisher W. How to Fight Cancer and Win. 1997, Baltimore, MD:Fischer Publishing Corp.
7.
Demark-Wahnefried Wendy. Cancer Communication Newsletter.April, 2000;7.
8.
Simopoulos, Artemis and Robinson J. The Omega Plan(hard cover) or The Omega Diet (paperback). 1998, New York, NY:HarperCollins.
9.
Gillian EC. et al. The effect on human tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1
production on diets enriched in n-3 fatty acids. Am Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, 1996;63.
10.
Yan L et al. Dietary flaxseed supplementation and experimental metastasis of
melanoma cells in mice. Cancer Letters.1998;124(2):181-6.
11.
Thompson LU et al. Flaxseed and its lignan and oil components reduce mammary
tumor growth at a late stage of carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis.1996;17(6):1373-6.
Essiac Tea
Essiac tea as a cancer therapy is supported by thousands of favorable
testimonials1,2,3 but no formal
studies. Essiac (EE see ak) is Caisse spelled backward. Rene Caisse
was a Canadian nurse who got the formula from an Indian woman. Caisse
tested and improved it over the years. She was afraid that if she
disclosed the formula, the government would outlaw it or make it very
expensive. Eventually she sold the 4-herb formula to the Resperin Corp.
She expected that they would develop and distribute the tea. They did
not. Later she worked with Dr. Charles Brusch, MD, who was a physician to
President John F. Kennedy. Brusch was able to buy the 8-herb formula that
she developed later.
Numerous companies sell Essiac tea even though the exact or real formula is in
doubt. Several brands seem to work. One published formula gives 16 oz of
Sheep Sorrel Herb (Rumex Acetosella), 6.5 cups of Burdock Root (Arctium Lappa),
1 oz of Turkey Rhubarb Root (Rheum Palmatum) and 4 oz of Slippery Elm Bark
(Ulmus Fulva) to make about 4 gallons of tea. Local health stores sell
ÒFlor-EssenceÓ brand for about $25 a box. This contains 3 packets which
each make 32 ounces of tea. One box is enough for 2 to 6 weeks. For
advanced cancer, some people start with 6 oz. per day and drop to 4 or 2 oz
when the symptoms decrease significantly. Caisse recommended a maintenance dose
of 1 oz. The tea can be taken in 2 oz portions somewhat before a meal or 1
to 2 hours after a meal.
Side effects of the tea reportedly are few and usually due to taking too much,
such as 12 oz. per day. Possible side effects include aches in the lower
back or head, flu-like feelings, allergy, itches or diarrhea. By all
means, work with a cooperative doctor. Since a patient is likely to use
other therapies along with Essiac tea, the doctor might want to check liver and
cardiovascular functions. The doctor may be able to verify measurable
results in 3 months if the therapy is working. Obviously a healthy life
style is important. Stop smoking, eat your vegetables, and do all those
things your mother told you.
References for Essiac
1. Glum,
Gary. Calling of an Angel. 1988,
Los Angeles, CA:Silent Walker Publishing, ISBN 0-9620364-0-4 1988.
2. Fraser,
Sheila S. & Allen, Carroll. Could Essiac Halt Cancer? HomemakersÕ
Magazine. 1977;June/July/August.
3. Thomas
R. The Essiac Report. 1993, Los
Angeles, CA:The Alternative Treatment Information Network.
Melatonin
Ah, that wee sleeping pill that sometimes helps with jet lag. As a strong
antioxidant, it is effective against two types of free radicals. It
increases the expression of p53 in breast and other cancers.1 Thus melatonin can significantly
reduce cell proliferation. It modifies many cytokines such as TNF and some
interleukins to help the body resist cancer.2
Lissoni3 found that 20 mg/day slowed
cancer progression to 53 % from 90 % in controls receiving only supportive
care. Melatonin was helpful with cisplatin-refractory non-small cell lung
cancer,4 brain cancer metastases and
malignant melanoma. Animal tests indicate that doses as high as 250 mg/kg
are nontoxic. Take melatonin near bedtime, as it is a sleeping
pill. As always, check with your doctor first.
References for Melatonin
1.
Peller S. Clinical implications of p53: effect on prognosis, tumor progression
and chemotherapy response. Semin Cancer Biology.1998;8:379-387.
2.
Neri B et al, Melatonin as a biological response modifier in cancer patients. Anticancer
Research.1998;18:1329-1332.
3.
Lissoni P et al. Is there a role for melatonin in the treatment on neoplastic
cachexia. Euro J Cancer.1996;32A:1340-1343.
4.
Lissoni P et al. Randomized study with pineal hormone melatonin versus
supportive care alone in advanced non-small cell lung cancer resistant to
first-line chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Oncology.1992;49:336-339.
5.
Lissoni P et al. A randomized study with subcutaneous low-dose interlukin 2 alone
vs. Interlukin 2 plus the pineal neurohormone melatonin in advanced neoplasms. British
J Cancer.1994;69:196-199.
6.
Lissoni P et al. Endocrine and immune effects of melatonin therapy in
metastastic cancer patients. Euro J Cancer Clin Oncology. 1989;25:789-795.
7.
Lissoni P et al. A randomized study with subcutaneous low-dose interlukin 2
alone vs. interlukin 2 plus the pineal neurohormone melatonin...for advanced
lung cancer. Tumori.1994;80:464-467.
8.
Mediavilla MD et al. Melatonin increases p53 and p21WAF1 expression in MCF-7
human breast cancer cells in vitro. Life Science. 1999;65:415-420.
Aredia for Pain Control in Bone Cancer
Aredia, palmadronate, a prescription drug, was initially used as a therapy for
osteoporosis since it helped to prevent the loss of bone and frequently to
restore bone mass. However, cancer loves bone and Aredia was found to
relieve bone pain, prevent loss of bone due to cancer, reduce excess calcium in
the blood, improve the quality of life for cancer patients, and (at high doses)
possibly lengthen ones life.
As cancer eats bone, two things happen. Pain is obvious. The other is
that, as the cancer eats bone, the byproducts cause the cancer to grow much
faster. Aredia, a bisphosphonate, is strongly attracted to
bone. Aredia appears to coat the bone to slow down the cancer
growth. Aredia is usually administered as a 4 hour IV.
The Physicians Desk Reference recommends doses such as 60 or 90 mg once per
month for osteoporosis. Some doctors give a small dose initially to test
for adverse reaction, then 150 mg/day for 3 days and then 90 to 150 mg
monthly. Since Aredia is more effective at slowing cancer growth than in
killing cancer, it is frequently used with chemotherapy drugs. Most of
Aredia is adsorbed on the bones where some of it remains for about 300
hours. The rest of the Aredia in the body has a half-life of about 26
hours. From this it follows that single large doses may be better than
frequent, small doses. In large doses, Aredia may be effective against
non-bone solid tumors and may lengthen life.
Aredia is apparently not effective against rapidly growing cancer. Most
tests have been done with multiple myeloma (spinal), breast, and prostate
cancer. In 20 or 30% of patients, Aredia causes flu-like symptoms for 2 or
3 days. In one quite sick man, symptoms lasted about 2 weeks. Lack of
calcium intake caused pain for one person. Irritation at the injection
point, nausea, and a 1 deg. C fever are also reported. Aredia was
successful at decreasing pain in half of the patients. It is also good at
stabilizing or regressing cancer and at preventing bone fractures and spinal
compression.
For those men who have prostate cancer and take Lupron or Zoladex, these
hormones can cause osteoporosis. If they experience joint pain from the
hormones, Aredia and Fosamax might help. This has not been
tested. There are many bisphosphonates with Aredia, Fosamax,
and Risedronate (Zometa) being the ones approved in the U. S. Zometa can
be given in a 1 hour IV. Before starting Zometa, check to see if any dental
work needs to be done,
References and Summaries for Aredia
1.
Berenson JR et al. New England Journal of Medicine.1996;334(8):488-93, gave multiple myeloma patients 90
mg every 4 weeks for 9 months. Half of the 392 patients also received
chemotherapy. Aredia was helpful towards reducing skeletal events (24 vs.
41%). Aredia also reduced bone pain and improved quality of life.
2.
Clarke NW et al. British Journal of Cancer.1991;63:420-423. 25 patients received 30 mg of
Aredia weekly for 4 weeks and then every other month. Eleven of 17
patients with initial pain were pain free at the end. Five of 17 patients
who had been progressing either stabilized or regressed.
3.
Conte PF et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology.1996;14(9): 2552-9, treated 295 patients with
chemotherapy only or chemotherapy plus Aredia at 45 mg every 3
weeks. Aredia was advantageous in increasing the time to cancer
progression (249 vs 168 days) and pain relief (44 vs 30%).
4.
Coleman, Robert. Am. Society of Clinical Oncology Symposium.1998;16019 outlined 17 trials using pamidronate (10)
and clodronate (7). Overall, there was a 50% reduction in pain and bone
healing in 25%.
5.
Gucap R et al. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1994;154(17):1935-44 found that a 4 hour IV was as
effective as a 24 hr IV.
6.
Hortobagyi GN et al. New England Journal of Medicine.1996;335(24):1785-91, used 90 mg of Aredia or placebo
every month for 12 months. With 380 patients, the first occurrence of bone
complication was 13.1 months with Aredia vs. 7.0 months for placebo.
7.
Lipton A et al. Annals of Oncology.
1994;Suppl 7: S31-5, treated 61 breast cancer and 58 prostate cancer patients
with 60 mg every 4 weeks, 60 mg every 2 weeks or 90 mg every 4 weeks for 3
months. 30 mg every 2 weeks was not effective for breast cancer patients
although the higher doses caused healing of the bone in 25%. For prostate
cancer patients, these 3 doses produced a reduction in bone pain but no healing
of bone lesions. The prostate patients may have been sicker at the
beginning.
8.
Lipton, Alan. New England Journal of Medicine.1996;Dec. 12, 1996, treated breast cancer patients
with 150 mg/day for 3 days and then monthly infusions of 90 to 150
mg/month. This large dose was well tolerated.
9.
Tyrrel CT et al. European Journal of Cancer.1995 Nov;31A(12):1976-80, treated 69 breast cancer
patients with 60 mg of Aredia every 2 weeks for a maximum of 13 weeks. No
other cancer therapy was allowed. Pain, mobility and analgesic scores
improved in 61, 50 and 30% of patients. At 8 weeks, the improvements were
33, 21 and 16% for 40% improvement.
Megadoses of Vitamin C for Various Ills
Megadoses
of vitamin C have a long and successful history of therapy for many sicknesses,
Stone.1,2 The following
describes actual tests with humans. Dosages are actual rather than
optimum. Unfortunately, success/failure rates are given
rarely. Ills other than cancer are also listed to show the broad
usefulness of vitamin C.
Some doctors recommend vitamin C at 3,000 to 6,000 mg/day for healthy
people. They may increase this up to perhaps 40,000 or even higher during
periods of high stress or disease. However the government RDA is 75 and 90
mg/day. Most animals produce vitamin C as needed in amounts depending on
their stress or illness. We could get a dose of 5,000 mg/day of vitamin C,
for example, by drinking 6 gallons of
orange juice. Obviously, supplements are necessary. Supplements
should include vitamins B, C, D, and E. Note that A, C and E especially
work together, Lieberman.3
Thousands of tests were run on vitamin C at low doses with only modest results
toward cancer. Thus most doctors do not recommend it. Vitamin C is
cheap at $6.00 per month for 5,000 mg/day. Tests should be run but vitamin
C offers no money and little excitement to researchers. Vitamin C can
usually be used in conjunction with other therapies.
TEST RESULTS with
dosages in mg/day, spaced, for a 150 lb adult, often by I.V.
COMMON
COLD: 1,000 to 3,000 as preventative, up to 1,000 per hour as needed by
mouth for therapy.
POLIOMYELITIS: 27,000
to 210,000, divided doses @ 2 or 4 hours, by IV, 60 of 60 cases cured.
HEPATITIS: Children:
5,000 to 10,000, more for adults.
HERPES
and SHINGLES: 25,000 for a few days
PNEUMONIA,
infant: 4,000, injected, much more for an adult
WHOOPING
COUGH (82 % helped): 2,000
CANCER,
many types, over 700 patients at 3 locations: 10,000 to 20,000 mg/day, 10%
to remission, 20% didn't live longer, 70% helped some, gave dramatic relief of
bone pain to 80% of the first patients.4
CANCER,
bladder: 4,500.
LEUKEMIA
+ cirrhosis of liver: 24,000 to 42,000, single case, able to return to
work, lived 21 months.
PANCREATIC
CANCER, 6 cm diameter: 12,000 increasing to 35,000. All pain and symptoms
relieved. Cat scan after 9 months: no residual pancreatic cancer, died
after 20 years at age 79.
BRAIN
TUMOR, 2.5 cm dia, confirmed by brain scan: 10,000 mg/day. In 2 or 3
months, brain scan showed no tumor and almost all symptoms gone.
BREAST
CANCER spread to bones and abdomen, bed ridden: 24,000 mg/day, much pain relief
and able to walk again. Died after 3 months.
CANCER
in both lungs, a smoker, labeled "hopeless and incurable": 15,000
mg/day. After 2 years, she claims to be in perfect health. X-rays
show regression in both lungs.
ARTHRITIS: 10,000
to 25,000
AGING: 3,000
to 5,000 suggested
ASTHMA: 70,000
GLAUCOMA: 2,000
or more
BARBITURATE
poisoning: 54,000, one test
TETANUS: 140,000
for 3 days
SNAKE
bite: 3,000, divided doses injected every 3 hours.
BURNS,
severe: 3 % solution, topically, plus 35 gm every 8 hours for several
days, then less. Gave immediate pain relief and faster healing
GANGRENE: 5,000
for a few weeks
SCHIZOPHRENIA: 36,000,
10 of 10 patients improved.
References for Megadose Vitamin C
1.
Stone I. The healing factor, Ôvitamin CÕ, against disease.1972, New York, NY:Putnam Publishing
Group. The book is out of print but located in the Carson Library,
Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC 28804.
2.
Stone I. Scurvy and the cancer problem. American Laboratory. September 1976:21-30.
3.
Lieberman S and Bruning N. The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book.1997, Garden City Park, NY:Avery Publishing Group.
4.
Cameron E and Pauling L. Cancer and Vitamin C, 1993, Philadelphia, PA: Camino Books.
So you just found out that you have prostate
cancer.
You
can expect to live a long time.
This
cancer grows slowly.
You
have time to learn before you decide on a therapy.
On
the day you were diagnosed, you didn't hear everything your doctor said.
There
are many good therapies. Some are gentle.
For
most patients, there are several reasonable therapies.
You
need knowledge to make decisions.
For
every therapy, ask what is the success rate at 5 and 10 years.
For
every suggested therapy, ask what are ALL the side effects. What are the
percentages for each?
What
side effects do you hate? Are the side effects worse than the benefits from a
longer expected life?
Is
a cure better than long term remission, considering the side effects?
Vitamins
and supplements have helped many cancer patients.
YOU
decide which therapy, not your doctors.
But
work with your doctors.
Be
an active survivor, not a passive patient.
As
you learn more, you will have more hope.
Join
a support group. Pray.
Diagnosis and Staging.
When
to run prostate cancer tests is still highly debated even after 12 years. I
believe that PSA tests should be started around age 35 or so and continued as
long as a man is active. The problem is not the test as much as what it means
and what to do next. The presence of cancer does not require immediate
surgery or radiation. Hormone therapy is a good, gentle therapy for many men. HofferÕs
multivitamin therapy is always gentle of often sufficient. If the diagnosis was
for a false positive or for slow-growing cancer, vitamin therapy has minimum
side effects and cost. If I had waited a year or two for a PSA test, I could
well have had widespread cancer often called incurable. Obviously, I would not
be writing this article now!
Prostate
cancer probability increases as men age. A few men will get cancer at age 35,
especially African-Americans or those with blood relatives who have or had
cancer. One little boy got prostate cancer at age two. I suggest a PSA,
prostate specific antigen, test beginning at age 35. Infection, ejaculation,
and certain exercises can raise the PSA reading. Repeat the test a year later
to establish a base line. An annual rise of 0.75 or less is good. I
recommend earlier testing than most people because there are now gentle
therapies in addition to surgery or radiation. If either the DRE or the
PSA is unfavorable, there is a 70% chance that cancer is present. A biopsy
(tissue sample) is then necessary to determine if cancer is present and how
aggressive it is. During a biopsy the doctor uses a hollow needle machine
to jump through the skin and grab a small sample of the prostate
gland. Six or more samples are taken to sample various parts of the
gland. If this is painful, ask for a painkiller before the next needle
insertion. There is a small, perhaps 10 or 20% chance of missing a
cancer.
A pathologist then examines each needle sample to determine if cancer is
present and how aggressive it is. The Gleason number is a grade of 1 to 5
where 1 is benign and 5 is very aggressive. The Gleason score is the sum
of the two numbers. The score should be reported as two individual numbers
such as 3+3 or 4+5. The first of the two numbers is the more
important. A score of 3+4 or less indicates moderately active
cancer. A score of 4+3 or higher is aggressive. The Gleason score
tells the doctor and the patient how hard to fight. The patient should demand
a copy of the pathology report and the doctorÕs reports. Ask the doctor to
explain words as necessary. A wise patient takes his spouse or a friend
and a tape recorder to the meeting where these test results are discussed with
the doctor.
Therapies
There
are many therapies, not just surgery or radiation. Let me list them in the
order that they might be used and then describe them.
A. Watchful
waiting for early stage cancer. This might better be called active watching.
B. Hormones. The
side effects are objectionable but usually temporary.
C. Surgery
if under age 70 or 75. The side effects can be bad and permanent.
D. Radiation,
including seeds or brachytherapy, also has bad side effects that can get worse
over the years.
E. Cryotherapy
or freezing can also have bad and permanent side effects.
F. Vitamins
as a therapy are new. They have negligible side effects, can be used alone
or with all of the above therapies and often gives excellent results. Vitamins
may completely control early cancer at the watchful-waiting stage. Vitamins for
widespread cancer may be far better than either a double blind regimen, or too
much chemotherapy
No
therapy promises life everlasting. Surgery, radiation, and cryotherapy can
often give a cure. The doctorÕs definition of cure is for the patient to
die from something other than cancer and have no obvious cancer
symptoms. The patientsÕ usual definition is to have no cancer cells
anywhere in the body. Since cancer cells develop frequently (daily?) in
everybody, the doctorÕs definition is preferred. The body, the immune
system, kills most cancers before they cause symptoms or become detectable.
As a strong recommendation, don't wait for symptoms to develop or get worse.
Fight cancer immediately. DonÕt wait until the flames come out the windows
before calling the fire department. Also, follow the cancer by watching the PSA
and usually at least one other marker. PAP, prostatic acid phosphatase,
and CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen, are often suitable. PSA is not
foolproof. Prostate cancer cells with a Gleason of 9 or 10 may generate little
or no PSA even though the cancer is growing. Also consider Quality of
Life. Is the therapy worse than the disease? What is the success rate
for a given therapy?
Which Therapy to Choose?
The patient should choose his therapy but with the
doctorÕs advice and guidance. This requires knowledge and study by the
patient for the best long-term results. Aggressive therapies like surgery,
radiation, and cryotherapy can have bad and permanent side effects. They
can preclude other therapies. There is no single, best therapy for a given
patient. Knowledge has not advanced to that point and may never get
there. Much depends on the patientÕs willingness to learn, to work toward
controlling the cancer, to get the best possible doctor for his chosen therapy. The
patient must think positively. If you donÕt like your garage mechanic, you
get another. If you donÕt like your doctor, his suggested therapy, or his
ability, hopefully you can get a new doctor or HMO.
The author knows more about vitamins as therapy than about the aggressive
therapies. He emphasizes vitamins and hormones. He is using
intermittent hormone therapy plus vitamins with excellent success. He is
in remission. Excellent information on therapies other than vitamins is
available in Dr. Stephen StrumÕs1 ÒA
Primer on Prostate Cancer.Ó
Description of Therapies
A patient diagnosed with cancer, especially prostate
cancer, has many options. The body has been fighting cancers for thousands
of years and the body usually wins. Most people donÕt get cancer. I think the
patient has the obligation to help strengthen his body to live the longest and
most comfortable life. With the PSA test, the patient can better select
the best therapy for himself.
Watchful Waiting
Active watching should be a time to learn more, to
get second opinions from urologists regarding surgery, from oncologists
regarding radiation and from a medical oncologist with a broad point of view of
many therapies including hormone therapy. Aggressive treatments and
hormone therapies, weaken the body and should be balanced by strengthening the
body. A good life style is obvious but important: NO smoking, good diet
with very low sugar, exercise, faith, and hope. Many would recommend a
diet with low fat, minimum red meat, low alcohol and sugar but high in fruits
and vegetables. Fortunately, prostate cancer is one of the better cancers to
have since the doctor can follow the progress or control of the disease by the
DRE and PSA tests. These may be repeated about every 6 months. If a
stronger therapy is required, it can be chosen and started.
Surgery
or radical prostatectomy, RP, is the
surgical removal of the prostate gland and the cancer it contains. It is
rarely done on men over 70. Most doctors do not operate if the cancer has
spread beyond the prostate gland. The ability and experience of the doctor
are frequently more important than the choice between surgery and
radiation.
Radiation,
either externally or by seeds implanted
within the prostate gland, aims to kill the cancer while killing as few normal
calls as possible. I refused radiation but because of probability of side
effects and return of cancer in a few years. Both surgery and radiation have
improved only slightly in the last few years.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
is not very good with prostate cancer because this type of cancer grows
relatively slowly. If your doctor recommends chemotherapy, ask to speak to
some of his long-term chemotherapy patients. After the standard treatments
of surgery, seeds, cryotherapy and hormones have failed, a doctor might use
Nizoral, Ketoconozole, Prednisone, Hydrocortisone, Estramustine and Etoposide
as chemotherapy agents. They add perhaps 10 months to a manÕs life. Chemotherapy
greatly weakens the immune system. New chemotherapy drugs such as
Tomaxofen for breast cancer may be helpful for prostate cancer. Nausea,
weakness, hair loss, pain, and other side effects of chemotherapy may make the
extra life undesirable.
For
many or most of the above therapies, when the PSA starts to rise after
treatment failure, one can expect several years before clinical evidence such
as pain and then a few more years before death. Hormones are usually
started after failure of the above therapies and sometimes before or during.
Hormones
In 1996, hormone therapy was highly experimental if used as the initial therapy
before surgery or radiation. Now (2009) patients are frequently getting hormone
therapy as initial treatment. In 1996, almost all doctors though that
hormones, once started, had to be continued forever. Now, intermittent
therapy is popular and provides longer life than continuous Lupron therapy.
Types and Functions of Various Hormones
1. Lupron,
Zoladex and similar compounds stop the testes from producing
testosterone. Prostate cancer uses testosterone to grow.
2. Casodex
or Eulexin shield the prostate cancer from the testosterone that comes from the
adrenal gland, a second step.
3. Proscar
minimizes the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a compound
that is 5 times as bad in making cancer grow, a third step.
The first 2 steps are called ADT-2 for androgen deprivation therapy. Adding
Proscar makes ADT-3. The different hormones in ADT-3 or ADT-3 do different
things and can be much more
effective if used simultaneously. Another therapy is Casodex at 3 pills/day
plus Proscar. Potency is usually maintained but few if any clinical results are
available.
Intermittent Hormone Therapy
Intermittent
hormone therapy, ADT-2, is done by taking Lupron and Casodex (or Eulexin) for a
period such as twelve months, the Òon time.Ó Then the Lupron and Casodex
are stopped during the Òoff time.Ó Proscar is added to ADT-2 to make ADT-3
and the Proscar is continued indefinitely after the Lupron and Casodex are
stopped.
Selecting a Therapy
With
so many therapies, how do we choose? Realize that each patient, each
cancer, and each doctor is different. And things change as we get sicker
or heal. Let me make a few comments.
1. If
we are relatively old based on our health and lives of our blood relatives -
not on our calendar years - just watching and checking may the
best. Active watching means improving our general health and getting a PSA
and DRE test every 6 months or so.
2. Vitamins
to strengthen the body can be called part of active watching. Vitamins at
therapeutic dosages can be the first step if active watching becomes
inadvisable. Likewise, vitamins can be part of surgery or radiation or
some types of chemotherapy.
3. Surgery
is probably warranted for young men (under 60 or so). It is rarely used if
the cancer has escaped outside of the prostate gland.
4. Radiation,
external or seeds, is commonly used as the initial treatment or if cancer
returns after surgery.
5. Hormone
therapy, especially intermittent triple hormone therapy, is gaining wider use
even as the initial therapy
6. Most
doctors use chemotherapy if hormones, surgery, and radiation have
failed. The quality of life is poor with chemotherapy and actual life
extension is minimal. Doctors have no other approved therapy.
7. Chemotherapy
using several agents and combined with hormones have been successful for a few
doctors: Leibowitz,3 Bagley,4 and Servadio,5 as noted later.
Getting a second opinion from a doctor with a different specialty is
recommended.
If Prostate Cancer Returns
Surgery, radiation, hormone therapies, and vitamins usually control prostate
cancer. If cancer returns (PSA rises) after these, there are several good
options with more being developed. Increasing the vitamin C dosage almost
to the point of diarrhea may improve the vitamin therapy. Other vitamins
can also be increased. When regular hormone therapies fail with prostate
cancer, the cancer is called hormone refractory. The first option is to
stop the use of Lupron and Casodex or Eulexin. The cancer, which may have
learned to use these hormones as food suddenly, becomes starved. In about
half of patients, the PSA will drop significantly for a period of 3 months to 6
years or longer. This is called antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome.
Surprisingly, this is a cancer therapy that is easy and economical.
You can strengthen the immune system whether you have early or late stage
cancer. You have stopped smoking, haven't you? Control your stress,
get enough exercise if possible, and eat 6 to 10 servings of fruits and
vegetables a day and you are well started. A low fat diet is highly
recommended along with a generous intake of vitamins and minerals. If you
are too thin, some people donÕt recommend red meat because that puts an extra
burden on the stomach.
If pain occurs where the cancer eats the bone, local radiation is a good
palliative. Vitamin C is also excelent. As cancer eats bone, the byproducts
cause the cancer to grow even faster. Aredia6 is very good at stopping pain, especially when used at a dosage
of 90 mg infused over 60 minutes at weekly intervals.7 Aredia8 sticks
tightly to the bone as a shield. It has a 26-hour half-life in the tissues
but some of it sticks to the bone surface even after 300 hours.
Several therapies are documented in small studies but not widely
known. These therapies work by strengthening the immune system and several
can often be used at the same time. Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10,9 at 90 mg/day plus 2,700 mg/day of vitamin C was used with 32
advanced breast cancer patients. In the 18-month test, none died although
4 were expected to die. Two of the 32 patients were then given 300 or 390
mg/day of CoQ10 and obtained complete remission. Fifteen advanced stage
prostate cancer patients were fed 600 mg/day of CoQ10 for 8 weeks,10 a very short test. In 67 %, the
cancer shrank or became stable.
Green tea is extensively consumed in the orient where cancer is less frequently
diagnosed. Tests on human prostate cancer11,12
implanted in mice showed that green tea extract slowed the growth and
decreased the size of cancer. Implanted cancers grew only about 20 % in 14
days in mice given a green tea extract (EGCG). In the controls, the cancer
grew to three times its original size. Therapy was reversed and EGCG was
then given to the former controls. In 14 days more, their cancer decreased
almost to its original size. For the mice started on EGCG, when the EGCG
was stopped, the cancer grew to five times its original size in the next 14
days. Hopefully, green tea or its extract will work well in humans with
prostate cancer.
Thalidomide prevents the growth of new blood vessels. In a fetus, this is
disastrous. In a cancer patient, this is helpful, even life
saving. Without new blood vessels, solid cancers cannot grow bigger than
about 1/8 inch. Simultaneous other therapies (including strengthening
the immune system) can then kill the cancer. Thalidomide is not the best
antiangeogenesis drug because of side effects (sleepiness and diarrhea) but it
is available now.
The combination of chemotherapy and hormones has worked extremely well for two
long-term tests. Bagley4 used Velban,
Adriamycin, Mitomycin, and orchiectomy with 27 patients and obtained
outstanding results. After 5 years, there were 22 with an undetectable PSA
level. Of the remaining 5 patients, three had a PSA less than 2.0 and two
had PSA's of 13 and 33. Nausea and vomiting were minimal. No deaths
were reported in the 5-year study. Strum13
would modify this regimen using newer medicines and knowledge but he gives no
results.
Servadio5 gave cytoxan, 5FU,
orchiectomy, and DES to over 36 patients with advanced, stage D2 metastastic
prostate cancer. Seventy five percent had pain relief, 50 % had both
subjective and objective improvement, 82 % had regression, or stabilization of
the primary tumor and 55 % had disappearance or stabilization of bone lesions
as shown by bone scans. Most importantly, 58 % were alive after 5 years
and 55 % alive after 15 years. This is wonderful. Dosages were fairly
strong the first 2 years when compared to regular chemotherapy doses. On
the third and fourth years, dosages were decreased and for the fifth year
decreased further. Mild radiation was initially given to prevent breast
enlargement. Strum thinks that the Servadio regimen may be over treatment
but the excellent results (considering the available knowledge in the 1970Õs)
are more important.
Leibowitz3 often prescribes Proscar,
Taxotere, Emcyt, Decadron, Aredia, and sometimes Carboplatinum. Aredia is
primarily for osteoporosis but it is also known for pain relief from cancer in
the bone and for preventing cancer from getting into the bone. In a group
of about 16 men, 9 had a PSA drop of at least 89% and 14 had a PSA drop of at
least 50%. I phoned Dr. Leibowitz's office, 310-229-3555, to get the names
of 7 of his patients taking Taxotere and willing to talk. I called three
of them and I am very favorably impressed with their successes. I was able
to find a South Carolina doctor who can use the therapy.
PC-SPES is no longer available. As a substitute, consider compounds called
PC-Hope (on the internet), PEENUTS, or PC PLUS at 1-800-860-9583.
Hope
My main message is hope. Compared to a few years
ago, life expectancy and Quality of Life are vastly improved. Even without
the wonder drugs promised Òin a few yearsÓ, we can live longer and happier than
expected. Remember, there is much hope even with advanced
cancer. Your doctor may not be accustomed to strengthening the immune
system to control cancer, so work with him, educate him if necessary. Find an
additional doctor if necessary. Your life is more important than being
polite to your doctor. But you need him. He needs you.
AuthorÕs Regimen, Revised
6/10/2009
AIM:
As of 1997, to keep my cancer in remission for 25 years.
DIAGNOSIS:
In March 1997 at age 74, a biopsy showed prostate cancer with a Gleason of 3+3
in 1 of 6 needles, stage T1c. PSA was 8.1 but had doubled in the prior 6
months. Thus I had aggressive, early stage cancer, probably confined.
THERAPY:
External radiation was recommended but refused because of the side effects of
possible incontinence, impotence and probable return of cancer in 5 or 10
years. Started Lupron and Eulexin on 3/97. On 5/1/97 started Proscar
at 5 mg/day to give triple androgen deprivation therapy, ADT-3. Lupron and
Eulexin were continued for 13 months followed by Proscar only and vitamins
during the ÒoffÓ period. With study I realized that I should greatly
improve my immune system in addition to ADT-3. I increased my vitamins,
did somewhat more exercise, and decreased wine and red meat consumption.
SUPPLEMENTS
are now about as follows: B complex 100 and 2 pills; vitamin B12, 2,000 mcg;
vitamin C 10,000 mg as ascorbic acid pills, vitamin D-3 800 I.U., vitamin E
succinate 400 I.U. and a strong multivitamin which includes some of the these
supplements. Selenium 225 mcg, calcium carbonate 1000 mg, Coenzyme Q10, 200,
mostly fish and chicken for protein, magnesium 250 mg, and 2 green tea extract
pills.
RESULTS:
Latest PSA is 0.3. Initially, PSA of 8.1 before Lupron dropped to 0.1 at 3
months and then to less than 0.1 until start of Òoff periodÓ on 5/98. PSA
rose slowly to 1.1 on 9/99. As of 6/10/2009, my PSA has drifted down and
leveled off at an average of 0.6 for 12 years. This is wonderful and
probably due to the vitamins and Proscar. Bone density was good on 4/98 and
better on 11/04. Good energy level and no pains since diagnosis. Mild
hot flashes continue and low libido, probably from the Proscar.
PROGNOSIS:
Based on the above good results and Dr. StrumÕs report, I expect to stay on the
off period (Proscar and vitamins) for several more years. If PSA trends
up, then I can increase the vitamin C or restart Lupron and Eulexin (or
Casodex). Please check back in 15 years to see how IÕm doing. Other things
I might try if need be include a low glucose & carbohydrate diet,
flaxseed oil and cottage cheese, Essiac tea, more CoQ10, green tea extract and
a high-vegetable diet.
References for Prostate Cancer Therapies
1. Strum
SB & Pogliano D. A Primer on Prostate Cancer. 2002, Hollywood:Florida, The Life Extension
Foundation.
2. Homberg
L et al. A randomized trial comparing radical prostatectomy with watchful
waiting in early stage prostate cancer. New England Journal of Medicine.2002;347 (11):781-789.
3. Leibowitz
R, Hormone refractory cancer, www.prostatepointers.org/prostate
/Leibowitz/leib20.html.
4. Bagley
C et al. Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy of High-risk Prostate
Cancer. Proc. Amer. Soc. Clinical Oncology.1995;14:230.
5. Servadio
C et al, Combined Hormone chemotherapy for Metastastic Prostate Carcinoma. Urology.1987;30:352-355.
6. Hortobagyi
GN et al. Efficacy of Pamidronate in Reducing Skeletal Complications in
Patients with Breast Cancer and Lytic Bone Metastases. Protocol 19 Aredia. New
England Journal of Medicine.1996;335(24):1785-91.
7. Tyrrell
CJ et al. Intravenous Pamidronate: Infusion Rate and Safety. Annals of
Oncology.1994;Suppl 7:S27-29.
8. Physicians
Desk Reference,2002.
9. Lockwood-K
et al. Progress on Therapy of Breast Cancer with Vitamin Q10 and the Regression
of metastases. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication.1995;212(1):172-7.
10.
Lewis, James. Co Enzyme Q10. Prostate Cancer Exchange.1998;July/August.
11.
Liao U et al. Growth Inhibition and Regression of Human Prostate and Breast
Tumors in Athymic Mice by Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate. Cancer Letters.1995;96:239-243.
12.
Strum S, Prostate. Cancer Research Insights.1999;2(3):15-16.
13. Strum
S, Prostate. Cancer Research Insights.1998; 1(1):9, 11.
Details of Dr HofferÕs 134
Patients after 15-years of follow up.
Pt. Patient No.; Age, Patient age; Cancer, Type of cancer; Treat, S surgery,
R
radiation, C chemotherapy; Gm.
Grams per day of Vitamin C;
A.H.Months under HofferÕs care; Life, life after diagnosis, months;
Alive. Y if alive at end of test.
|
Pt. |
Age |
Cancer |
Treat |
Gm |
A.H. |
Life |
Alive |
|
13 |
68 |
ABDOMINAL |
NONE |
0 |
1.1 |
3.1 |
N |
|
128 |
79 |
ABDOMINAL |
S
R |
5.4 |
11 |
35 |
N |
|
46 |
63 |
ABDOMINAL |
S
C |
12 |
15 |
17 |
N |
|
49 |
39 |
ABDOMINAL |
S |
15 |
101 |
104 |
Y |
|
24 |
62 |
BLADDER |
S
R |
12 |
64 |
70 |
N |
|
101 |
56 |
BOWEL |
R |
12 |
16 |
21 |
N |
|
114 |
68 |
BOWEL |
S |
0 |
4 |
6 |
N |
|
69 |
8 |
BRAIN |
S
R C |
6 |
6 |
28 |
N |
|
72 |
48 |
BRAIN |
S
R C |
12 |
28 |
88 |
N |
|
7 |
57 |
BREAST |
S
C |
0 |
3.7 |
6.7 |
N |
|
59 |
30 |
BREAST |
S
R C |
0 |
6 |
27 |
N |
|
79 |
65 |
BREAST |
S |
0 |
1.8 |
37.8 |
N |
|
81 |
53 |
BREAST |
S
C |
0 |
2.2 |
50.2 |
N |
|
115 |
57 |
BREAST |
S
R C |
0 |
4.2 |
16.2 |
N |
|
10 |
46 |
BREAST |
S
R |
1.2 |
53 |
54 |
Y |
|
25 |
38 |
BREAST |
S
C |
1.2 |
23 |
28 |
Y |
|
38 |
65 |
BREAST |
S
R C |
1.2 |
96 |
97 |
Y |
|
44 |
69 |
BREAST |
S
R |
1.2 |
64 |
66 |
Y |
|
Pt. |
Age |
Cancer |
Treat |
Gm |
A.H. |
Life |
Alive |
|
48 |
39 |
BREAST |
S |
1.2 |
70 |
88 |
Y |
|
53 |
41 |
BREAST |
S
C |
1.2 |
9 |
10 |
N |
|
61 |
65 |
BREAST |
S
R |
1.2 |
40 |
52 |
N |
|
55 |
56 |
BREAST |
S |
4 |
80 |
122 |
Y |
|
117 |
46 |
BREAST |
S
R C |
4 |
32 |
68 |
Y |
|
36 |
70 |
BREAST |
S
C |
6 |
58 |
82 |
N |
|
124 |
60 |
BREAST |
S
C |
6 |
45 |
66 |
Y |
|
62 |
47 |
BREAST |
S |
8 |
89 |
104 |
Y |
|
5 |
48 |
BREAST |
R |
10 |
78 |
79 |
Y |
|
27 |
46 |
BREAST |
S
R |
10 |
73 |
77 |
Y |
|
20 |
49 |
BREAST |
S
R |
12 |
14 |
32 |
N |
|
21 |
47 |
BREAST |
S
C |
12 |
22 |
40 |
N |
|
35 |
56 |
BREAST |
S
C |
12 |
120 |
132 |
Y |
|
40 |
58 |
BREAST |
S
R |
12 |
85 |
86 |
Y |
|
63 |
45 |
BREAST |
S |
12 |
74 |
75 |
Y |
|
82 |
50 |
BREAST |
R
C |
12 |
51 |
63 |
N |
|
88 |
56 |
BREAST |
S
C |
12 |
73 |
73 |
Y |
|
93 |
71 |
BREAST |
S
R |
12 |
74 |
75 |
Y |
|
108 |
43 |
BREAST |
S
C |
12 |
6 |
12 |
N |
|
Pt. |
Age |
Cancer |
Treat |
Gm |
A.H. |
Life |
Alive |
|
118 |
49 |
BREAST |
R |
12 |
62 |
62 |
Y |
|
129 |
45 |
BREAST |
S
R |
12 |
25 |
37 |
Y |
|
133 |
41 |
BREAST |
S
C |
12 |
16 |
76 |
N |
|
83 |
52 |
BREAST |
S
R C |
18 |
43 |
66 |
N |
|
100 |
62 |
BRONCUS |
R |
12 |
10 |
14 |
N |
|
8 |
63 |
CARCINOID |
S
R |
0 |
1.5 |
25.5 |
N |
|
60 |
37 |
CERVIX |
NONE |
9 |
116 |
118 |
Y |
|
67 |
46 |
CERVIX |
S
R C |
12 |
3 |
75 |
N |
|
120 |
73 |
CERVIX |
R |
12 |
3 |
39 |
N |
|
12 |
60 |
COLON |
S
R |
0 |
0.4 |
11.4 |
N |
|
30 |
35 |
COLON |
S |
0 |
19 |
55 |
N |
|
78 |
53 |
COLON |
S |
0 |
2 |
9 |
N |
|
15 |
59 |
COLON |
S |
2 |
79 |
84 |
Y |
|
45 |
73 |
COLON |
S
R |
5 |
10 |
39 |
N |
|
87 |
30 |
COLON |
S |
12 |
127 |
145 |
Y |
|
92 |
61 |
COLON |
S
R |
12 |
17 |
137 |
N |
|
95 |
59 |
COLON |
S |
12 |
74 |
74 |
Y |
|
122 |
64 |
COLON |
S
R |
12 |
29 |
77 |
Y |
|
80 |
54 |
COLON |
S |
24 |
13 |
73 |
N |
|
Pt. |
Age |
Cancer |
Treat |
Gm |
A.H. |
Life |
Alive |
|
22 |
16 |
EWING'S
SARCOM |
R
C |
12 |
111 |
133 |
Y |
|
31 |
50 |
FALLOPIAN
TUBE |
S |
0 |
49 |
51 |
Y |
|
17 |
60 |
GLIOBLASTOMA |
S |
6 |
15 |
23 |
N |
|
70 |
47 |
INTESTINE |
S |
2 |
71 |
90 |
Y |
|
71 |
66 |
JAW |
S
R |
12 |
6 |
15 |
N |
|
50 |
62 |
KIDNEY,
LUNG |
NONE |
0 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
N |
|
64 |
40 |
KIDNEY-LUNG |
S |
2 |
28 |
40 |
N |
|
96 |
58 |
KIDNEY |
S
C |
12 |
17 |
23 |
N |
|
126 |
42 |
KIDNEY |
S
R |
12 |
60 |
66 |
Y |
|
94 |
63 |
LEUKEMIA |
NONE |
3 |
75 |
75 |
N |
|
77 |
50 |
LEUKEMIA |
NONE |
6 |
25 |
26 |
N |
|
104 |
63 |
LEUKEMIA |
C |
12 |
25 |
43 |
Y |
|
52 |
71 |
LEUKEMIA |
NONE |
40 |
9 |
10 |
N |
|
85 |
61 |
LIVER |
NONE |
7 |
16 |
28 |
N |
|
102 |
60 |
LIVER |
NONE |
0 |
1.6 |
3.6 |
N |
|
103 |
33 |
LIVER |
NONE |
0 |
2 |
3 |
N |
|
32 |
37 |
LUNG |
C |
0 |
2 |
5 |
N |
|
47 |
76 |
LUNG |
NONE |
0 |
7 |
14 |
N |
|
99 |
46 |
LUNG |
S
R C |
0 |
1 |
23 |
N |
|
Pt. |
Age |
Cancer |
Treat |
Gm |
A.H. |
Life |
Alive |
|
33 |
53 |
LUNG |
S |
2 |
7 |
9 |
N |
|
97 |
54 |
LUNG |
S |
2 |
27 |
29 |
Y |
|
54 |
67 |
LUNG |
R |
4 |
6 |
18 |
N |
|
1 |
64 |
LUNG |
R |
12 |
103 |
107 |
Y |
|
37 |
54 |
LUNG |
R
C |
12 |
140 |
144 |
Y |
|
39 |
56 |
LUNG |
R
C |
12 |
17 |
41 |
N |
|
42 |
52 |
LUNG |
R |
12 |
6 |
9 |
N |
|
51 |
35 |
LUNG |
C |
12 |
6 |
18 |
N |
|
89 |
56 |
LUNG |
R
C |
12 |
25 |
34 |
N |
|
106 |
71 |
LUNG |
NONE |
12 |
17 |
25 |
N |
|
2 |
63 |
LUNG |
NONE |
20 |
14 |
15 |
N |
|
26 |
59 |
LYMPHOMA |
R
C |
0 |
1.8 |
15.8 |
N |
|
66 |
14 |
LYMPHOMA |
S
C |
3 |
105 |
153 |
Y |
|
11 |
25 |
LYMPHOMA |
R
C |
12 |
93 |
109 |
Y |
|
121 |
41 |
LYMPHOMA |
C |
12 |
50 |
86 |
Y |
|
74 |
36 |
LYMPHOMA |
S
C R |
13 |
113 |