Head And Neck Cancer

My father has been diagosnied with head and neck cancer (stage IV) and it has probably spread to the lymph nodes in the lungs.  Dr's have ordered a PET scan for next week.  They are recommending Chemo, my father is opposed to any treatment at this point.  He is concerned with the side effects.  Surgery is not an option because of the location of the cancer.  They also receommend that if he opts for treatment he should get the PEG tube.  My father is eating better since had the biospy, which removed a portion of the tumor that was obstructing his throat, the Dr says that portion of the tumor will grow back.  What I want to know is, has anyone found alternative treatments (herbs) that work for this type of cancer? The Dr is not sure radiation will work, since the cancer seems to have spread.  Also are there medicines that can help with the side effects of the Chem.

Thanks for your response 

  

I don't know any "wonder" herbs, but I know about one with relatively reasonable hope. It is a Hungarian product called "Avemar" distributed in the US under the name of "Ave". It is a fermented wheat germ extract. (Pretty expensive.)

I am taking it currently (tastes horrible, but it is once a day), and - to my surprise - yesterday my oncologist (Lombardi Cancer Center,  Washington, DC) did not object taking it during chemo. (I have Stage IV, SCC.) Furthermore, he mentioned that he thinks it is really promising. (I did not talk to my radiologist yet - he may flatly reject it during radiation.)

I am not aware of any recommendation taking "Ave" instead of chemo - it is recommended taking it *with* and *after* chemo. But, if you father refuses chemo, this may be better than nothing.

You can find a bunch of peer-reviewed articles at this URL (most in English, some in Hungarian):

http://www.avemar.com/avemar_references.php 

Good luck to your father,

Laszlo

Your father's situation may be pretty serious. The thing is that chemo is probably his only option. There are no herbs or magic vitamins that will fight cancer like this. Once the cancer sets up shop in the lungs it takes some pretty big guns to kill it, but it can be done.Tell him not to be afraid of the side effects. They can be managed with medications and many of the tips you can pick up from folks who have survived them and will eventually pass. Although it might not seem like it when you are going through treatment, I think the effects of not having treatment are far worse than anything chemo or radiation will do but that choice is his call. Also, tell him not to fear the PEG tube. I had one for 5 months and it wasn't as bad as I had originally imagined. It was my lifeline and I am extremely thankful that I had it. 

Good luck to you and your Dad.

Joe 

I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth re: the PEG tube. I hated the thought and resisted but was talked into one beofre treatments this year-and will be forever grateful. It can be annoying, but it's a lifesaver and well worth it IF he treats for this. I still lost weight-but I literally would have had NO food/nutrition durings treatments w/o this tube and the canned liquid food. I had mine for 5 mos and was so eager to have it removed and eat again. I have had a hard time with the eating, tho-will probably never have a weight problem again!! Best of luck to your father; may he make the right decision to treat or not. Gayle

My biggest problem with chemo was nausea and dehydration.  It also affected my concentration abilities.  The nausea was handled pretty well with a drug called zofran.  You may want to consider a second opinion.  there are well know facilities that take a holistic approach.  They do include nuitrition, herbs, exercise, meditation, visualization along with western protocols.  My prayers are with you and your Dad.

Miko

 

On 9/13/2007 lisababy wrote:

My father has been diagosnied with head and neck cancer (stage IV) and it has probably spread to the lymph nodes in the lungs.  Dr's have ordered a PET scan for next week.  They are recommending Chemo, my father is opposed to any treatment at this point.  He is concerned with the side effects.  Surgery is not an option because of the location of the cancer.  They also receommend that if he opts for treatment he should get the PEG tube.  My father is eating better since had the biospy, which removed a portion of the tumor that was obstructing his throat, the Dr says that portion of the tumor will grow back.  What I want to know is, has anyone found alternative treatments (herbs) that work for this type of cancer? The Dr is not sure radiation will work, since the cancer seems to have spread.  Also are there medicines that can help with the side effects of the Chem.

Thanks for your response 

  

Lisababy

I wasn't sure if I should respond or not. We lost our Dad, not from his throat cancer but as a result of radiation treatment which put him in renal failure. His kidneys had been damaged as a result of sepsis. I did not want him to take radiation. I had taken him to a naturopathic doctor and had done a lot of studying on enzyme therapy and bloodroot. Please check out cancerx.org. It is always a personal decision whether to undergo treatment or not. But if your Dad does decide to chose chemo or radiation get statistics. We were not told that my Dad died from acute renal failure caused by treatment and I am in the process of proving it.  My father had 2 years taken away from him due to medical negligence, infections, etc. He refused a Skilled Nursing Facility and I took care of him at his home.  It was very difficult - especially the peg and trach tubes. It does require experienced medical personnel. Dad's tube became blocked from meds and tube was replaced, he had high residuals and several hospitalizations. With my personal experience, I would give anything to take it all back. I live with his suffering every day as a result of 'preventive' procedures & treatment. I believe in killing the cancer from the inside - reprogram the cells.  Best of luck to you and your Dad. Please let me know how you are doing. Investigator