I recently saw a patient who is now 8 years in remission from metastatic melanoma. In the beginning of his cancer journey, this young male patient had declined all medical therapy, hoping for a more alternative approach to treating his cancer by modifying his nutrition and taking herbal medicines. At that time, he only wanted me to recheck his scans every 2-3 months which I had reluctantly agreed to for about one and a half years!
Fortunately, he had slow-growing melanoma tumors in the lungs and was asymptomatic during that whole time. Yet, there we were watching his tumors grow slowly like a chia pet! Unfortunately, he had developed multi-focal metastatic disease to the brain causing significant acute symptoms that required urgent craniotomy to resect the larger symptomatic tumor. Some of the CNS lesions were treated with targeted radiotherapy, but the rest of the smaller CNS tumors were not so treatable with local options.
By this point in time, the disease in the right lung had grown from baseline the size of a baseball to the size of a football. This was a wake-up call for him where he finally gave in to using immunotherapy. I gave him a dual-drug regimen using Ipilimumab and Nivolumab where fortunately for him, he had a great response! Most of the lung tumors and CNS tumors melted away. We had discontinued therapy 1-2 years after we started treatment due to a complete response he had and again, that was 5-6 years ago.
Over the last several years, he had this slow-growing cystic brain lesion that we had recommended to observe alone with serial imaging. Late last year, considering the mild symptoms he was having and the new mild right to left midline shift (tumors that push normal brain tissue out in different directions), we had recommended another neurosurgical resection. Fortunately, not a bit of the large cystic lesion was malignant; it was all benign inflammatory tissue possibly related to prior radiotherapy which is a well-known uncommon issue with what we call radiation necrosis. He continues to do well to this day with scan checks every 6 months. When I look back over the years when I had first met him, I cannot help but think that if he had started treatment earlier when his disease burden was minimal and he was asymptomatic, perhaps we could have avoided some of the surgeries he had endured.
Alternative medicine refers to any medical treatment or practice that is not part of mainstream medicine, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, or spiritual healing. While some cancer patients may choose to use alternative medicine as a complement to their traditional treatment, it is important to be aware of the potential disadvantages. Here are a few:
Lack of scientific evidence:
Many alternative therapies have not been rigorously studied in clinical trials, so there may not be sufficient evidence to support their effectiveness or safety. We live in a capitalistic society. If blue scorpion venoms works to cure cancer, I think pharmaceutical companies would probably jump on that! Yes… I had one kid unbelievably do that in Mexico. Google it.. ugh!
Interference with conventional treatments:
Some alternative therapies may interfere with conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, reducing their effectiveness. Drugs get into your system, you either pee it out or poop it out! Drugs can interact with the liver and kidneys and either increase or decrease the metabolism of the conventional drug. This either compromises the effectiveness of the treatment or escalates the toxicity risk, respectively!
Delay in seeking proper treatment:
Relying solely on alternative therapies may delay the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, which can be life-threatening. My patient was fortunately able to have a 2nd chance. Unfortunately, many patients may not get a second chance if the disease burdens increases to the point of compromising their bodily functions i.e. ambulation, nutrition, cognition, etc. I had one young healthy patient in her twenties who had a curable resectable sarcoma and instead opted for spiritual healing alone in the church? Listen, I strongly believe we need all the help we can get in the care of our cancer patients. I need patients to eat, exercise, and stay mentally positive and sharp. We as healthcare providers will give the best we have in our arsenal to treat the disease, and the rest as I always say is in God’s hands. Unfortunately, for this young female patient and despite my deepest protest to her and her parents, she had sadly placed her complete trust in religion and came back 8 months later in a wheelchair with incurable diffuse metastatic disease and in no condition to take on any treatment.
Financial burden:
Alternative therapies may not be covered by insurance, and can be expensive, putting a financial burden on patients and their families. I have seen bills more than $2k for a single vitamin infusion!
False hope:
Alternative therapies may offer false hope to patients, giving them the impression that they are receiving effective treatment, when in reality they are not. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous folks are out there to take advantage of the situation. Snake oil?
Adverse effects:
Some alternative therapies can have adverse effects or interact with other medications, causing harm to the patient. I would not know any better if the side effects were due to the drugs we give in clinic or the herbals that a patient is secretly taking at home? And I will have to hold, or dose reduce what may be effective therapy to the patient.
Lack of regulation:
Unlike traditional medicine, many alternative therapies are not regulated by government agencies, which can increase the risk of fraud or harm to patients.
My patient’s journey highlights the dangers of relying solely on alternative medicine for cancer treatment. The drawbacks of alternative medicine for the treatment of oncology patients cannot be ignored. Delaying appropriate treatment can lead to the progression of the disease and the need for more invasive procedures. It is crucial for patients to work with their healthcare providers to develop an effective treatment plan that includes both conventional and alternative therapies when appropriate. Patients often ask me about herbal products, and I refer them to the MSK database that summarizes for both lay folks and providers the data behind most herbal medicines.
About the author
Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. Currently practicing at the renowned Orlando Health Cancer Institute, he brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.
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