Late Stage Cancer and Vitamin C : A Case Report
When patients visit Caring Medical, they are greeted by a sign that says "Hope Is Practiced Here". Because of the nature of our practice, we see many patients who are running low on hope. Either because of chronic pain, or because of long standing and perhaps multiple and serious health problems, our patients, especially need hope. We all do, of course. But patients with health problems need it the most. That's why I like what Samuel Coleridge, the poet, said: 

“He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope.”

Someone else said "there is no such thing as false hope". Hope is a powerful inspirer of action, of fortitude, and of perseverance. Hope itself can help the body heal. Now I do not condone, but rather condemn,  those "healers" who abuse patients with false promises for their own gain. But those of us who really care for people, and are dedicated to their welfare, know that there are many proven, sensible and safe ways to help patients, even when orthodox physicians have thrown up their hands and given up. So when explain our vast experience of clinic-tested treatments that work with our new patients; when we tell them confidently that we have seen their condition before and that it has responded to our therapies; and when patients read the true case reports and the testimonial letters that we publish on our web sites, hope is reborn.

Cancer engenders the most fear, and the most hopelessness of any medical condition. Although we no longer offer a clinic for the primary oncologic care of cancer patients, I still see many cancer patients. Some come in for advice on how to reduce the chance of recurrences after standard therapies, while others have been given little hope that any therapy will be effective. Still others have been offered chemo and radiation therapy, but have done their research and know that weakened and debilitated by standard treatments is NOT the way they want to die.

Today I share a current case. This patient is a man who is 77 years of age whom I first saw in November of 2005. He had been diagnosed with primary liver cell cancer, and at the time it appeared to be confined to the left liver lobe.  Apparently the surgeon felt that the nature of the lesions was such that he might be able to completely remove all tumor by taking out only the affected lobe. I concurred with going ahead with the surgery to reduce the total load of cancer cells this patient's immune system had to deal with. So, the surgery was done in December of 2005 and he was told that they "had got it all".

Unfortunately in March the routine post op MRI revealed that he had more lesions in the remaining lobe of the liver. Furthermore,  the previously suspicious lung markings that had shown up on a chest X-ray had increased dramatically in number and size, being described by the radiologist as "innumerable". This presented a very serious situation which prompted his oncologist to suggest his remaining life span might be only 6 to 12 months, and to strongly suggest chemotherapy. At about that time he came back to see me. Although his clinical condition when I saw him was fairly stable, his case would have to be considered serious, and pre-terminal. He had no pain or swelling or digestive symptoms, however he multiple lung metastases which had apparently been seeded there from blood born spread of his liver cancer. It is uncertain whether the surgery may have indeed accelerated this process. He also had an elevated blood cancer marker called alpha fetoprotein (AFP) which is fairly reflective of the activity of a liver cancer. His reading was 385 immediately postop in January, with normal being less than 20. I recommended intensive high dose Vitamon C infusions for this patient. You will find several previous Dr Bob articles on this wonderful treatment in the archives or at these links.....

Vitamin C Part 1

Vitamin C Part 2

The patient began twice weekly 3 hour outpatient infusions of 75,000 mg of ascorbic acid each in our office. After 12 of these treatments his alpha feto protein level had dropped from 385 to 45. After 24 of these treatments, on May 26th 2006 rescanning with MRI's and new tests revealed the following results:

1. Extreme shrinkage of all pulmonary lesions: The radiologist reported "The numerous pulmonary nodules have significantly decreased in size and number. There is only one residual lung mass of about 3 cm in size. No new masses are seen. There is no further spread within the lung area."

2. Continued apparent progression of the liver lesions, despite the fact that the blood test improved. However there was just an apparent increase in size (not the number) of some of the existing lesions, but no new lesions had developed, and the drop in the AFP really suggested significantly decreased tumor activity.

3. Minor elevation in alkaline phosphatase (229) being somewhat worrisome for possible bone involvement, but patient has no pain. The reading last November before any treatment was a slightly elevated 135.

4. Excellent general clinical condition of the patient with no sign of jaundice or increasing bilirubin levels.

Shrinkage of pulmonary metastaes by any treatment other than full blown chemotherapy is not easy to accomplish. High dose vitamin C has done the job here. Why the liver lesions are not apparently responding similarly is rather puzzling, since theoretically it is the same exact cell type in both locations, and the blood test results strongly suggest that the Vitamin C is inhibiting this cancer as well. So this may change with the next scan. The patient feels perfectly well, and it is now already 4 months after he received his grim prognosis. I expect him to continue to feel well. I'll be monitoring him closely for any change in the bone enzyme level which might suggest metastases to the bone. He obviously still has cancer, but with our help he is battling it to a stalemate, and is living his life just the way he wants to. He is hopeful based on the reality of good results, and that will help keep him alive. I will keep you up to date on his progress in future issues.

Hope, as well as good medicine is practiced at Caring Medical. Perhaps we can help you.