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Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs integrative oncology
Even if the studies were in German, they might be able to be translated at the Beacon. The Beacon staff have international connections too to Europe and elsewhere.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
G'day again Nancy,
A good source of information, much better than Wikipedia (no offence Boris!
) is the prestigious medical journal The Lancet - Oncology. You will find scientific phase III trials regarding hyperthermia. There is also the European Society of Hyperthermic Oncology.
Happy reading!
Time for me to 'throw another shrimp on the barbie, mate!'
A good source of information, much better than Wikipedia (no offence Boris!
) is the prestigious medical journal The Lancet - Oncology. You will find scientific phase III trials regarding hyperthermia. There is also the European Society of Hyperthermic Oncology.Happy reading!
Time for me to 'throw another shrimp on the barbie, mate!'
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Dave - Name: Dave
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 38
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
I have to say, the warmest holidays in December we ever had were in Sydney AU. Lovely ... and Australia is such a beautiful continent/country. But our winter is great too, and i notice that our ski resorts are staffed by a lot of Australian young people.
On the topic of Australian health care, I find it interesting too, in that there are parallels to the Canadian system. It is wonderful to have universal health care, but often our chemotherapy drug approvals lag behind the US, because for one thing, the drugs are developed there in many instances. There are other factors too involved in drug approvals.
On the topic of Australian health care, I find it interesting too, in that there are parallels to the Canadian system. It is wonderful to have universal health care, but often our chemotherapy drug approvals lag behind the US, because for one thing, the drugs are developed there in many instances. There are other factors too involved in drug approvals.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Hello all,
I happened across this forum doing research for my brother who has multiple myeloma. In my case, having recently returned to the USA from Germany for hyperthermia cancer treatment (Sep 3, 2012) I thought it might be beneficial to relate my own experience:
After a diagnosis of aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer, I carefully considered all the "conventional" options. Looking for a safer, more effective alternative than surgery, radiation or chemo my integrative physician suggested hyperthermia at MD Anderson. On investigation, it was no longer available there or anywhere in the U.S.-- which eventually led me to research the German clinics which boast a 100% cure rate for PC (yes, hard to believe).
Long story short: after 3 weeks of hyperthermia, no evidence of tumors were found and PSA today is extremely low. Best part is I still have my prostate (and all the function that goes with it!) I realize four months cancer free is not enough to proclaim that I am cured, so we'll have to wait and see.
According to my German physician, there are many studies on hyperthermia as a cancer treatment. I have a copy of a German prostate cancer study published in English which helped my decision. For multiple myeloma, a good place to start is the International Journal of Hyperthermia which publishes such studies, but there is a fee to download full text articles.
I would just like to say my personal experience with the German clinic was nothing less than amazing! I was told the German clinics also treats multiple myeloma, but my brother is not interested at this time. Cancer treatment is a very personal decision and most would not choose the path that I chose, and I respect that. But should my PSA start to creep up again, or any other form of cancer rear its ugly head, I will return to Germany without hesitation.
I happened across this forum doing research for my brother who has multiple myeloma. In my case, having recently returned to the USA from Germany for hyperthermia cancer treatment (Sep 3, 2012) I thought it might be beneficial to relate my own experience:
After a diagnosis of aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer, I carefully considered all the "conventional" options. Looking for a safer, more effective alternative than surgery, radiation or chemo my integrative physician suggested hyperthermia at MD Anderson. On investigation, it was no longer available there or anywhere in the U.S.-- which eventually led me to research the German clinics which boast a 100% cure rate for PC (yes, hard to believe).
Long story short: after 3 weeks of hyperthermia, no evidence of tumors were found and PSA today is extremely low. Best part is I still have my prostate (and all the function that goes with it!) I realize four months cancer free is not enough to proclaim that I am cured, so we'll have to wait and see.
According to my German physician, there are many studies on hyperthermia as a cancer treatment. I have a copy of a German prostate cancer study published in English which helped my decision. For multiple myeloma, a good place to start is the International Journal of Hyperthermia which publishes such studies, but there is a fee to download full text articles.
I would just like to say my personal experience with the German clinic was nothing less than amazing! I was told the German clinics also treats multiple myeloma, but my brother is not interested at this time. Cancer treatment is a very personal decision and most would not choose the path that I chose, and I respect that. But should my PSA start to creep up again, or any other form of cancer rear its ugly head, I will return to Germany without hesitation.
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Jaws - Who do you know with myeloma?: brother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
I have now read a little on hyperthermia, and realize that it is a cancer treatment used, especially for solid tumours, which are localized. The International Journal of Hyperthermia is a peer reviewed journal, although too expensive for a casual reader to get a subscription to ($3750/year). Do hope you will get back to the Beacon, Dave, with your thoughts on this treatment.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Great news Jaws, congratulations on your results. I'm not surprised by your successful outcome as there are more and more people seeking this type of integrative approach to treat their cancer - and it's working!
I'm in Germany at an integrative oncology clinic. There are people arriving here everyday from all over the world.
My oncologist here in Germany has been the first doctor to give me real hope. Not just a life of continued chemo to keep my condition under control. I truly believe that my myeloma will be cured, but not by conventional medicine, by treatment such as what I've had this past 10 days in Germany.
Congratulations again on your good health.
Dave
I'm in Germany at an integrative oncology clinic. There are people arriving here everyday from all over the world.
My oncologist here in Germany has been the first doctor to give me real hope. Not just a life of continued chemo to keep my condition under control. I truly believe that my myeloma will be cured, but not by conventional medicine, by treatment such as what I've had this past 10 days in Germany.
Congratulations again on your good health.
Dave
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Dave - Name: Dave
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 38
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Well I've returned home after nearly 2 weeks in Germany at the hyperthermia clinic. I had blood tests done upon my return to my hematologist here in Australia and they are the BEST results I've had since my diagnosis in Oct last year.
My hemoglobin is 119, platelets are 155, creatinine is 99 and my immune system WBC are the highest they've been.
I'm full of energy and my family and friends say I look like I've been on a health retreat. Dr Herzog said I won't see the full benefits for another 2 to 3 weeks, with regards to the kappa.
I maintained my chemo regime over there but it's the added IV infusions and hyperthermia that have made me feel better and this is reflected in my latest blood tests.
I'll be returning to Germany for more hyperthermia in April, where I'll stay for a month this time.
It was very hopeful and inspiring for me and my wife as we talked with other patients from all over the globe who were there having treatment and have also had excellent outcomes.
My plan is to remain on chemo here until I return to Germany in April for more full body hyperthermia. I'm lucky that in Perth (Australia) I can access local hyperthermia, vit c infusions, ozone infusions and lots of supplements. All of this combined is making a huge difference.
Dave
My hemoglobin is 119, platelets are 155, creatinine is 99 and my immune system WBC are the highest they've been.
I'm full of energy and my family and friends say I look like I've been on a health retreat. Dr Herzog said I won't see the full benefits for another 2 to 3 weeks, with regards to the kappa.
I maintained my chemo regime over there but it's the added IV infusions and hyperthermia that have made me feel better and this is reflected in my latest blood tests.
I'll be returning to Germany for more hyperthermia in April, where I'll stay for a month this time.
It was very hopeful and inspiring for me and my wife as we talked with other patients from all over the globe who were there having treatment and have also had excellent outcomes.
My plan is to remain on chemo here until I return to Germany in April for more full body hyperthermia. I'm lucky that in Perth (Australia) I can access local hyperthermia, vit c infusions, ozone infusions and lots of supplements. All of this combined is making a huge difference.
Dave
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Dave - Name: Dave
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 38
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Hi Dave,
Glad to hear you're feeling better after your stay in Germany.
I just wanted to make sure I understand correctly that you're still being treated with the CyBorD (Velcade, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) regimen that you've been taking since soon after you were diagnosed. Is that correct?
Also, can you give us any information about whether you have any of the higher-risk chromosomal abnormalities? Or is your myeloma what specialists would characterize as "low risk"?
Glad to hear you're feeling better after your stay in Germany.
I just wanted to make sure I understand correctly that you're still being treated with the CyBorD (Velcade, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) regimen that you've been taking since soon after you were diagnosed. Is that correct?
Also, can you give us any information about whether you have any of the higher-risk chromosomal abnormalities? Or is your myeloma what specialists would characterize as "low risk"?
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Hi Ricardo,
Thanks. Yes, I am on the same regime as you mentioned.
In terms of the second question, I am unsure or have not heard mention of any chromosomal abnormalities, but I was diagnosed Stage III in October, with renal failure, so it would be safe to say I was in the high risk category!
I have come a long way..
Dave
Thanks. Yes, I am on the same regime as you mentioned.
In terms of the second question, I am unsure or have not heard mention of any chromosomal abnormalities, but I was diagnosed Stage III in October, with renal failure, so it would be safe to say I was in the high risk category!
I have come a long way..
Dave
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Dave - Name: Dave
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 38
Re: Conventional cancer treatment vs. integrative oncology
Hi Dave!
Glad to hear that you're still on the CyBord regimen. As I'm sure you know, that regimen alone could very well be the reason your numbers are continuing to improve.
I'm not saying the hyperthermia treatment is not having an effect. But, at this stage in your conventional treatment, it wouldn't be at all unusual for your numbers to be continuing to improve.
As for the issue of whether or not your disease is considered "high risk", the definition doesn't usually depend on the stage of your diagnosis. Many patients who have stage 3 disease are actually low-risk, meaning they are very likely to respond well to treatment and have a long expected survival.
There are a number of different definitions of what makes a patient high risk. A common one that I've seen is that a patient is high risk if their myeloma cells have one or more of the following chromosomal abnormalities: del 17p, t(14;16), or t(14;20). You also can be defined as high-risk based on various kinds of gene expression profiling outcomes.
All myeloma patients really should get information about the chromosomal abnormalities in their myeloma cells from their physicians, and discuss those results with their doctors. The results are a key factor affecting how well a patient is likely to respond to treatment, and what sort of treatment the patient should get.
Glad to hear that you're still on the CyBord regimen. As I'm sure you know, that regimen alone could very well be the reason your numbers are continuing to improve.
I'm not saying the hyperthermia treatment is not having an effect. But, at this stage in your conventional treatment, it wouldn't be at all unusual for your numbers to be continuing to improve.
As for the issue of whether or not your disease is considered "high risk", the definition doesn't usually depend on the stage of your diagnosis. Many patients who have stage 3 disease are actually low-risk, meaning they are very likely to respond well to treatment and have a long expected survival.
There are a number of different definitions of what makes a patient high risk. A common one that I've seen is that a patient is high risk if their myeloma cells have one or more of the following chromosomal abnormalities: del 17p, t(14;16), or t(14;20). You also can be defined as high-risk based on various kinds of gene expression profiling outcomes.
All myeloma patients really should get information about the chromosomal abnormalities in their myeloma cells from their physicians, and discuss those results with their doctors. The results are a key factor affecting how well a patient is likely to respond to treatment, and what sort of treatment the patient should get.
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