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Suggest Treatment For Lung Cancer
Question: My dad has lung cancer and is on the chemo Alimta. His oncologist
recommended NO supplements during chemo and we followed direction
during the first 2 rounds. He had such a horrible reaction with hospitalization
we decided we had to do something and added several supplements...Mushroom
extract, resveratrol, curcumin, liposomal glutathione, b vitamins, graviola tea,
vitamin D3, B vitamins, magnesium, CBD hemp oil, liver detox and Frankincense oil.
He is much better but I know his oncologist will not approve. From my research none of these contradict with chemo. In your opinion do any of these need to be stopped
while on treatment (he gets one tomorrow after a 3 month break to regain strength from the side effects)? And are their any really good ones
that are synergistic with chemo. Thanks!
recommended NO supplements during chemo and we followed direction
during the first 2 rounds. He had such a horrible reaction with hospitalization
we decided we had to do something and added several supplements...Mushroom
extract, resveratrol, curcumin, liposomal glutathione, b vitamins, graviola tea,
vitamin D3, B vitamins, magnesium, CBD hemp oil, liver detox and Frankincense oil.
He is much better but I know his oncologist will not approve. From my research none of these contradict with chemo. In your opinion do any of these need to be stopped
while on treatment (he gets one tomorrow after a 3 month break to regain strength from the side effects)? And are their any really good ones
that are synergistic with chemo. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
I also generally do not recommend supplemental herbal remedies or excess amounts of vitamins or antioxidants while patients are on chemotherapy. With Alimta vitamin B 12 supplementation is generally considered a good idea to help minimize gastrointestinal and hematologic side effects of the chemo therapy.
Remember that the chemotherapy has a goal of turbine cancer cells to eliminate or minimize cancer cell growth.antioxidants and some supplements could potentially help to promote repair of damaged cells. If the cancer cells are exposed to these types of substances then this might cause resistance to chemotherapy.
I generally recommend a good multivitamin once daily along with vitamin B 12 supplementation for my patients on this particular type of chemotherapy. We do not have any very good large randomized controlled clinical trials which have shown benefit of other additional supplements in this particular setting.
thank you again for sending the question. Please discuss further with the treating oncologist is well.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
I also generally do not recommend supplemental herbal remedies or excess amounts of vitamins or antioxidants while patients are on chemotherapy. With Alimta vitamin B 12 supplementation is generally considered a good idea to help minimize gastrointestinal and hematologic side effects of the chemo therapy.
Remember that the chemotherapy has a goal of turbine cancer cells to eliminate or minimize cancer cell growth.antioxidants and some supplements could potentially help to promote repair of damaged cells. If the cancer cells are exposed to these types of substances then this might cause resistance to chemotherapy.
I generally recommend a good multivitamin once daily along with vitamin B 12 supplementation for my patients on this particular type of chemotherapy. We do not have any very good large randomized controlled clinical trials which have shown benefit of other additional supplements in this particular setting.
thank you again for sending the question. Please discuss further with the treating oncologist is well.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Are their any other dangers other than the chemo might not
work as well? I mean it is not likely to make him sick in any
way from some sort of interaction? He is so much better on them
I am hesitant to stop them since his cancer has not grown
during this 3 month break and his mood and energy is so much
better. But if there is a problem with toxicity or something
we will discontinue. Do you know of any problem with the
supplements I mentioned above...I actually go them all approved
by his primary doctor.
work as well? I mean it is not likely to make him sick in any
way from some sort of interaction? He is so much better on them
I am hesitant to stop them since his cancer has not grown
during this 3 month break and his mood and energy is so much
better. But if there is a problem with toxicity or something
we will discontinue. Do you know of any problem with the
supplements I mentioned above...I actually go them all approved
by his primary doctor.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
There are no direct toxicities that I am aware of but these supplements have not been studied well in order to predict potential toxicity over time.
I understand the primary physician has approved the supplements and that he is also feeling better - would just be sure the oncologist is aware that he is taking them as well in case he has additional concerns.
Thanks again for the query,
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
There are no direct toxicities that I am aware of but these supplements have not been studied well in order to predict potential toxicity over time.
I understand the primary physician has approved the supplements and that he is also feeling better - would just be sure the oncologist is aware that he is taking them as well in case he has additional concerns.
Thanks again for the query,
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
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