Using Nutrition or Sutent to Keep Cancer at Bay

Hi All,

My dad was diagnosed with RCC (clear cell), Stage III, Grade II on Wednesday.  This came as a bit of a suprise as his tumor was 5.5 cm and was described as "well-encapsulated" and "away from the renal vein" due to his CT scan.  He had a radical nephrectomy through the laparoscope.  According to the pathology report, there were a few microscopic cells in the renal vein that took his supposed Stage I RCC to Stage III.  The urologist who did the surgery said that there have been instances when the kidney and interior tumor are squished when removed through the small incision on the belly; as a result, some of the cancer cells come off and end up in the nearest exit--the renal vein.

So...my dad is being treated as a Stage III case although he's been told he doesn't fit the profile.  The urologist and oncologist he'll be working with are offering up a clinical trial of Sutent/Nexavar/placebo.  I think it's the Assure trial.  He is considering trying this, but he's also thinking about looking into a holistic MD who would work on nutrition with him.

What are your thoughts?  I see Sutent and Nexavar on this message board, but I'm not seeing much about nutrition and diet.  I'm curious to see what research, personal stories, info all of you have to share.  I know his doctors  will push the drugs, while the holistic doctor he consults will push the nutrition and herbs.  He is weighing all of his options before making a decision about how to move forward.

Thank you for your help and be well!

Andrea

Andrea,

I passed up on the study your dads doctor is talking about. Just to let you know after 2 years at RCC Stage IIIB, it came back in my lungs. I just got surgery to remove my left lower lobe of my lung and the pain was unreal. The cancer is gone, but my point is, I passed up the study as you listed and now I can not get the study again. The Sutent is very expensive and from what I read and heard, this is the way to go. Please look into this seriously.

Any questions let me know.

THanks,

Mike

Andrea,

I was also offered this same trial 2 years ago and I opted not to take it as my doctor said my chances of this RCC returning in less then 40%. Now 2years later, I had a cancer reoccurance in my lower left lung (had my lower left lobe removed 4-20-09. Just a note, the pain from the surgery of the lung removal is painful. I should have did the trial as now i do not qualify for the drugs or trial which is very expensive. If you do the trial, you have a lot of doctors watching you and the drug is of no charge. Take a close look at it. I am now going to Sutent for protection in the next week. All I can say is thank god I have good insurance and a job for now.

I would consider this option for your dad.

Mike

Renal Cell Carcinoma is a very nasty and sneaky cancer.  Until recently, the diagnosis was most commonly a death sentence.  In the last five years, several drugs have been approved and are often effective at holding it at bay.  NONE is a cure.  All are expected to fail at some point.  Fortunately, many of the medications are being used serially (one after another) with some success. 

I was diagnosed and had a full left nephrectomy five years ago next September.  When metastasis occurred only three months later, I entered the clinical trial for Sutent vs. Interferon and was assigned to Interferon.  This was successful for two years.  When it failed I went on Sutent.  Now, two and a half years later, it is still working. 

Preventing metastasis is a very worthy goal.  The trial your father is offered provides three options - one of which is a placebo.  Since he seems willing to go without any medication at all, this seems a reasonable trial for him. 

But, there is NO reason that he cannot consult with a naturopathic doctor and follow every possible natural approach at the same time.  I have had an outstanding naturopathic (ND) who works very closely with my oncologist.  I have no secrets from either about all the supplements, diet, etc that I am on.  Eating healthy, reasonable exercise, vitamins and supplements are not difficult. 

Use every weapon at your disposal.  This is a life and death battle.

On 4/4/2009 drea1409 wrote:

Hi All,

My dad was diagnosed with RCC (clear cell), Stage III, Grade II on Wednesday.  This came as a bit of a suprise as his tumor was 5.5 cm and was described as "well-encapsulated" and "away from the renal vein" due to his CT scan.  He had a radical nephrectomy through the laparoscope.  According to the pathology report, there were a few microscopic cells in the renal vein that took his supposed Stage I RCC to Stage III.  The urologist who did the surgery said that there have been instances when the kidney and interior tumor are squished when removed through the small incision on the belly; as a result, some of the cancer cells come off and end up in the nearest exit--the renal vein.

So...my dad is being treated as a Stage III case although he's been told he doesn't fit the profile.  The urologist and oncologist he'll be working with are offering up a clinical trial of Sutent/Nexavar/placebo.  I think it's the Assure trial.  He is considering trying this, but he's also thinking about looking into a holistic MD who would work on nutrition with him.

What are your thoughts?  I see Sutent and Nexavar on this message board, but I'm not seeing much about nutrition and diet.  I'm curious to see what research, personal stories, info all of you have to share.  I know his doctors  will push the drugs, while the holistic doctor he consults will push the nutrition and herbs.  He is weighing all of his options before making a decision about how to move forward.

Thank you for your help and be well!

Andrea

Dear Andrea,

I only wish I would have found your post earlier. But this goes out to all those interested in nutrition and cancer. My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer in July '07. As we were sitting in the surgeon's office listening to our options and the risks involved, I kept saying in my head with each risk "NO WAY!!" Hemorrage, urine leak, dialysis, transplant...NO WAY!!

The twist to our situation was that my husband was only born with one kidney...and it had a tumor! NO WAY were we going to put that kidney at risk by cutting off the blood supply so they could wack it in half.

We decided to do 100% nutrition and natural healing, the doctor said he was committing suicide. Fortunately, some friends of ours are associated with a group of very well known health ministers. They coached us on different supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, curcumin, and more. Another friend allowed him to use the infrared sauna several times a week (which we eventually bought our own). We also bought a Norwalk juicer and my husband went on a 3 week juice fast followed by a 100% raw food diet with NO animals products or sugar.

My husband would keep a log of everything he put in his body daily and the amount of nutrition was phenomenal. He did this for 9 months and the tumor ruptured causing massive bleeding. A stent was inserted from the bladder up to the kidney to keep the ureter open preventing hydronephrosis (which will ruin the kidney). We had no alternative but to have a partial nephrectomy because of the blood loss and risk of further damage to the kidney.

I do not consider this a failure in our treatment plan. On the contrary, our plan was a huge success because the tumor in the end was 1/4" smaller and my husband never did one day of dialysis which the doctors said at least 6 weeks of it. He was producing urine before they even closed the incision!

The only thing I wish we would have had is a doctor who believes in and has knowledge of the amazing self healing body. That way we could have continued to monitor the tumor as it shrank and just kept treating the symptoms. Still what a wonderful outcome, 9 months after diagnosis we had a smaller tumor and now my husband is doing great with many other health issues cleared up also by his lifestyle. He is still vegan and will continue to be. He can run 5 miles, swim laps for an hour, he water skiis and bike rides. We owe all the success to fruits and vegetables!!

I hope this helps and inspires those going through a very difficult time. A cancer diagnosis brings on the battle of a lifetime. But it's a battle that can be won.

Teri

P.S. I stronly discourage anyone from doing this alone. If you want to do this treatment plan, seek the advice of someone who specializes in nutritional healing.

On 4/4/2009 drea1409 wrote:

Hi All,

My dad was diagnosed with RCC (clear cell), Stage III, Grade II on Wednesday.  This came as a bit of a suprise as his tumor was 5.5 cm and was described as "well-encapsulated" and "away from the renal vein" due to his CT scan.  He had a radical nephrectomy through the laparoscope.  According to the pathology report, there were a few microscopic cells in the renal vein that took his supposed Stage I RCC to Stage III.  The urologist who did the surgery said that there have been instances when the kidney and interior tumor are squished when removed through the small incision on the belly; as a result, some of the cancer cells come off and end up in the nearest exit--the renal vein.

So...my dad is being treated as a Stage III case although he's been told he doesn't fit the profile.  The urologist and oncologist he'll be working with are offering up a clinical trial of Sutent/Nexavar/placebo.  I think it's the Assure trial.  He is considering trying this, but he's also thinking about looking into a holistic MD who would work on nutrition with him.

What are your thoughts?  I see Sutent and Nexavar on this message board, but I'm not seeing much about nutrition and diet.  I'm curious to see what research, personal stories, info all of you have to share.  I know his doctors  will push the drugs, while the holistic doctor he consults will push the nutrition and herbs.  He is weighing all of his options before making a decision about how to move forward.

Thank you for your help and be well!

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

It sounds like your dad has been through a lot. I am
a survivor and was also a caregiver to my father who battled colon cancer. It’s
great that your dad is considering both options of treatment.  While caring for my father I could find very
little information on the side effects of chemo and radiation treatment so I
started a blog, www.cincovidas.com that
addresses treatment effects on the hair, skin and nails. It can be a resource
to you for knowing what to expect if your father decides to use traditional
drugs and how to deal with the side effects naturally.

Please keep me posted with how you and your father
are doing.

Love, strength and survival,

Britta