B cell lymphoma and supplements

In relation to B cell lymphoma, a doctor said that all the immune boosting supplements such as beta glucan, curcumin, selenium, CoQ10, etc. only serve to feed the cancer, and do more harm than good. Since it is a cancer of the white blood cells, boosting the immune system causes an increase in the number of cancer cells.

Has anyone else heard this theory and does it have any foundation? Would appreciate any thoughts, thanks.

Hi scrubba

I am putting some information together to send to you via private message.  Since the message will be quite lengthy I hope you will be comfortable communicating through e mail. Your friend's doctor has given her incorrect information.  She was on a good path using the supplements you mentioned in your private message.   

Immune system deficiency  SOURCE:

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Non-HodgkinLymphoma/DetailedGui

People with weakened immune systems have an increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For example, people who receive organ transplants (kidney, heart, liver) are treated with drugs that suppress their immune system to prevent it from attacking the new organ. These people have a higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can also weaken the immune system, and people infected with HIV are at increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Some genetic (inherited) syndromes can cause children to be born with a deficient immune system. Along with an increased risk of serious infections, these children also have a higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These inherited immune deficiency diseases can be passed on to children, but people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who do not have these inherited diseases do not pass an increased risk of lymphoma on to their children.

B-Cell Lymphoma Risk Factors: Cancer Treatment Centers of America    Source: 

www.cancercenter.com /b-cell-lymphoma/b-cell-lymphoma-risk-factors.cfm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cancercenter.com /b-cell-lymphoma/b-cell-lymphoma-

www.cancercenter.com /b-cell-lymphoma/b-cell-lympho... -United States

Learn about potential risk factors for developing B-Cell lymphoma. ... Age - Older age seems to play a role, however, people at any age may develop this disease. Immune system deficiencies - A weakened immune system may make an ...

Sorry the link to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America info appeared corrupted.  I'll try again here

http://www.cancercenter.com/b-cell-lymphoma/b-cell-lymphoma-

On Oct 01, 2011 11:16 PM scrubba wrote:

In relation to B cell lymphoma, a doctor said that all the immune boosting supplements such as beta glucan, curcumin, selenium, CoQ10, etc. only serve to feed the cancer, and do more harm than good. Since it is a cancer of the white blood cells, boosting the immune system causes an increase in the number of cancer cells.

Has anyone else heard this theory and does it have any foundation? Would appreciate any thoughts, thanks.

I have the same thing U have b cell nhl, have been on chemo rituxan for 9 months, have lost 25 lbs due to nausha but have taken only ensure for supplements.  Weight has stablized for last 4-5 months.  My doc has never mentioned supplements.  I have had lots of side effects, such as bursites in knees and elboes, terrible chest rashes, pain in hips,etc.  In all of these events my doc says she never heard of these events so I have to see specialists for help.  Latest pet scan indicates no lymphomic activity but lymph glands and spleen are enlarged.  Go figure.

On Oct 21, 2011 1:33 PM perrry wrote:

On Oct 01, 2011 11:16 PM scrubba wrote:

In relation to B cell lymphoma, a doctor said that all the immune boosting supplements such as beta glucan, curcumin, selenium, CoQ10, etc. only serve to feed the cancer, and do more harm than good. Since it is a cancer of the white blood cells, boosting the immune system causes an increase in the number of cancer cells.

Has anyone else heard this theory and does it have any foundation? Would appreciate any thoughts, thanks.

I have the same thing U have b cell nhl, have been on chemo rituxan for 9 months, have lost 25 lbs due to nausha but have taken only ensure for supplements.  Weight has stablized for last 4-5 months.  My doc has never mentioned supplements.  I have had lots of side effects, such as bursites in knees and elboes, terrible chest rashes, pain in hips,etc.  In all of these events my doc says she never heard of these events so I have to see specialists for help.  Latest pet scan indicates no lymphomic activity but lymph glands and spleen are enlarged.  Go figure.

 

 

Hi perry,

Thanks for sharing your experience and hope your condition improves. You might also try consulting a naturopath who could recommend supplements other than Ensure to help with your side effects.....How much more chemo are you scheduled to have and how often are your treatments?

wishing you a speedy recovery.

It's been 2 1/2 in remission from stage 4 diffuse Large B Cell NHL and I'm trying to remember if I did try to stay away from supplements initially. I can say this Scrubba immediately after chemo I would go for a walk (because of a study in China to circulate the chemo better)then go directly to the accupuncturist to circulate chemo even more. For 4 days I would let the chemo do its stuff and then I would get that POISON out of my body. I am a colon hydrotherapist so I would work on myself and give myself a colonic to get it out and keep it from recycling through the portal viens in colon and back into the liver,tissues, and cells of the body. After the 4 days I would drink every morning double shots of wheatgrass (gag, gag, sputter). As I remember I did use tumeric and (Garlinaise TM) garlic tabs because they are super cancer fighters. CoQ10 oxygenates the body which also fights cancer so I don't get why that would be bad. Primarily I let nutrition be the centerfold of my recovery. Green Tea and Essiac Tea, Foods high in phyto-nutrients and anti-cancer properties. Sugar feeds cancer so I personally would avoid Ensure which is loaded in sugar and processed yuck. Exercising, yoga, Qi Gong, mediatation, walking, all passive forms as tolerated. I took cooking/nutriton classes through The Cancer  Project under the auspicies of Dr. Niel Barnard and researched A LOT. I worked on becoming primarily Vegan (not an easy task)I need to get going here so lastly I'm goning to leave you with some resources:

www.cancerproject.org    

(they have recipes, classes, events, research on cancer and diet)

www.21daykickstart.org

a website by The Physicians Committee For Resposible Medicine

www.i-act.org 

website for referral to an internationally certified colon hydrotherapist (if you desire to venture there)

I also agree with another who posted about consulting a naturaopath or Nutritionist (LizLipski out of N. Carolina is very knowledgable) at eitherwww.innovativehealing.com

or www.lizlipski.com

She holds a doctorate and is board certified in Clinical Nutrition and Holistic Nutrition. Dr. Lipski has been working in the field of holistic ...

Keep up the good fight Scrubba, Casey

Hi Perry,

My husband has Large B Cell lymphoma of the brain and eyes or otherwise, CNS Lymphoma.  He recently has had a lot of joint pain and just had a hip joint replacement. They told him it was caused by the steroid that he took that cut off blood supply to his hip joint.  His orthopedic surgeon and his neurologist told him that it is very common to happen in the large joints, hips, knees and even shoulders.  He also complains of his elbows hurting.  Were you taking any anti nauseau medicines, John would receive a steroid in his IV to combat the nauseau also.  He had bad rashes in his groin area from the chemo medicines.  I question your doctor for saying that she has not heard of these side effects.  They seem pretty common to me.

Good Luck!

Sheila

Sheila,

I have a pill form for nausa, but have not taken many.  My rash covered my chest, dermatologist priscribed a ackclavar, herpes type drug that eliminated it.  My knees and elboes hurt.  A ruematologist has priscribed a steriod for that.  My hip joints were very painful got two steriod shots by pain and spine doc thats over for the time being.  spend a lot of time with doctors.  The steriods have increased appetite gaining back some of the 20 lbs I have lost.  Good luck to your husband and You

Hi Scrubba-

I have multiple myeloma, also a blood cancer.  My onc told me the same thing about supplementation.  I didn't listen and supplement with broad spectrum anti-oxidents, (whole food, organic) curcumin, green tea extract, grape seed extract and resveritrol.  I have been in complete remission since 4/99.  I will post links to the studies that indicate supplementation enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy while reducing the toxicity and side effects.

http://peoplebeatingcancer.org/article/nutritional-supplemen

http://peoplebeatingcancer.org/pbc/search?pbc_sitename=All&a

http://lymphoma.peoplebeatingcancer.org/