Conditions

Lung Cancer

There are two general types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer grows very rapidly and has a tendency to spread early to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is commonly found in smokers.

About 170,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year. If caught before it has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, lung cancer patients have about a 50% survival rate. However, since most cases are not caught in the early stages the average survival rate is only about 12% - although it has been improving thanks to new diagnostics and drugs.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Sputum with blood
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Persistent cough-new onset or change in chronic cough
• Fever, chills, sweats, and radiographic pneumonia (from an obstructive lesion)
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of neck and face.

Diagnosis:

If your doctor suspects lung cancer after a physical examination, he or she may order a series of imaging screenings, a study of a phlegm culture, a biopsy, a mediastinoscopy, a bronchoscopy, a bone marrow biopsy, and/or blood tests.

Treatment Options:

Treatment depends on cell type, stage, resectability (ability of tumor to be completely removed), and operability (ability to survive surgery with acceptable morbidity). Options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, singly or in combination.

Traditional Treatments:

Traditional treatments are very complicated and involved. Drug therapy is used in the form of chemotherapy and medications to control complications. Surgery is used to remove the tumor (when possible). Talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Nutrition and herbs may provide antioxidant protection, minimize side effects of conventional therapy, and improve treatment response and overall health.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and coenzyme Q10 provide antioxidant protection.
  Warning: If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.
• Vitamin A has been shown to be beneficial in the healing process.
  Warning: If you are pregnant, intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A.
• Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine protect against cardiac toxicity.
• Anti-inflammatory omega-3 and omega-6 oils, can help aid in the healing process.
• Glutathione offers antioxidant protection and detoxification. It may also help in preventing secondary recurrence.
• N-acetylcysteine facilitates DNA repair.
• Melatonin has been shown to improve survival rate in NSC lung cancer patients that are unresponsive to cisplatin therapy.
• Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that has anticancer activities and may enhance chemotherapy.

Alternative Therapies:

• Turmeric works well with bromelain and has antitumor activities.
• Quercetin has an affinity for type II estrogen binding sites, abundant in NSC lung cancer. Quercetin also inhibits proliferation.
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) may protect against nephrotoxicity secondary to cisplatin.
• To enhance detoxification, tone normal lung tissue, and stimulate the immune system, combine equal parts of red clover (Trifoliumpratense), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), mullein (Verbascum densiflorum), elecampane (Inula helenium), indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata), and blood root (Sanguinaria canadensis).
• Commercial herbal mixes in the form of teas or formulas containing herbs such as sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), burdock root (Arctium lappa), slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva), turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and watercress (Nasturtium officinale) may be helpful.

General Recommendations:

• Avoid foods that compromise immune function and constitute nutrient-poor calories. Eliminate refined foods, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fats (animal products, especially dairy).
• Include foods rich in antioxidants such as dark green, yellow, and orange vegetables, and dark berries.
• Also include foods which enhance detoxification such as green tea, onions, garlic, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage. Increase whole grains and anti-inflammatory oils (nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish). Green tea polyphenols have anti-tumor activity and protect against lipid peroxidation.
• Work closely with your doctor and follow medical news.
• See a qualified homeopathic practitioner for possible constitutional remedies.
• A qualified acupuncturist may be able to relieve some of the negative effects of traditional treatments. It is strongly recommended that you explore this avenue as well as traditional medicine.

Warnings:

• If you are pregnant, intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A.
• If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.
• The sooner lung cancer is caught, the better your chances of survival are. If you recognize any of the symptoms listed in this directory ­ see your health care professional.