Cancer Treatment » Integrative Oncology Essentials

What Is Integrative Oncology? (Free Patient Guide)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:17 pm

Apr 032012

Integrative Oncology uses the best evidence-based treatments (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, acupuncture, massage, stress reduction, herbal/botanicals, etc.) with the following goals:

Treating the cancer
Preventing recurrence
Reducing side effects and symptoms

Integrative Oncology encourages living a healthy lifestyle to help the body in its’ innate abilities to fight and prevent cancer. This can be accomplished by learning strategies to reduce stress, increasing physical activity and eating healthfully (“anti-cancer diet & nutrition.”)
Practicing these lifestyle changes leads to beneficial “anti-cancer” effects:

Strengthening the immune system
Decreasing inflammation throughout the body
Reducing (free radical) oxidative damage to cells
Decreasing hormonal stimulation of cancer cells

Treatments are selected using a customized approach for each person by taking into account various factors:

Cancer type and stage
Other medical conditions
General health status
Symptoms
Safety and efficacy of the treatment
Cost and availability of treatment
Social support
Etc…

Selecting the most appropriate therapies for an individual is not simple, as there are many factors to consider. Coordinating the various therapies so that all of your healthcare practitioners are communicating and knowing what you are doing/taking/planning can be time-consuming, complicated and confusing.

So, your cancer treatment is over. What can you do now to reduce your risks of cancer coming back? Schedule a consultation with an integrative oncologist to help you develop a plan that is individualized to you.

Consulting with an Integrative Oncologist may be helpful, as they understand the therapeutic options that are available and they know how to navigate this process. There are multiple Integrative Oncology Centers throughout the United States.

Visit the Integrative Oncology-Essentials website to learn more.

I developed the diagrams below to help explain to my patients the core principles of integrative oncology. They show the process of how healthy, normal cells transform into cancer cells. They demonstrate how lifestyle and behaviors can influence this process and can be used to decrease one’s risk of cancer development and progression. Importantly, these diagrams shows how cancer and its’ treatment can lead to the development and exacerbation of other medical problems (Did you know that most people with cancer don’t die of their cancer? In fact, the majority of the time they die from complications of treatment or from worsening of other medical problems.) Finally, these diagrams illustrate that one can reduce symptoms (from cancer or from the treatment) by using complementary therapies or through lifestyle/behavior changes.

I hope that these diagrams help you better understand the interconnectedness and complexity of cancer care and cancer prevention.

(Click the FIGURES to see in Full-Size)

Become a FAN to follow us on Facebook

One of the best videos you will see on integrative oncology & living an “anti-cancer” lifestyle

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:19 pm

Mar 142012

One of the best videos you will see on integrative oncology & living an "anti-cancer" lifestyle

Dr. David Servan-Schreiber was one of the most influential physicians in our field of integrative oncology, and in this wonderful lecture you will learn why. His book, Anti-Cancer: A New Way Of Life, remains an international best-seller and one that I recommend to most of my patients. If you are interested in learning about integrative oncology and how to reduce your risk of cancer development, recurrence and progression, I strongly recommend you watch this video. This lecture is worth your time, and it will blow your mind. You can find the latest edition (December 31, 2009) of his book [...read more...]

Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:55 pm

Jan 302012

Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

I ask this question based on the fact that we know that cancer cells often spread early in the course of disease and they can remain silent (occult or hidden) for years. The Background: Among women with the earliest stage of invasive breast cancer (stage 1), 25% of them already have breast cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. (reference) Among men with the earliest stages of prostate cancer (pT2, no lymph node involvement, Gleason scores </=6, PSA </=4 ng/mL), over 70% of them have prostate cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. Even [...read more...]

Cannabis and Cancer: 1 plant versus 5 common symptoms that affect cancer patients

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 7:32 pm

Jan 282012

Cannabis and Cancer: 1 plant versus 5 common symptoms that affect cancer patients

This is a completely apolitical blog entry on the science of the medical efficacy of Cannabis (marijuana) in oncology. Cannabis is plant that is classified in the U.S. as a controlled substance with an “increased potential for abuse and no known medical use” (Schedule 1). By federal law, possessing Cannabis, is illegal in the U.S. Although U.S. federal law prohibits the use of Cannabis, 16 states and the District of Columbia permit its use for certain medical conditions with a physicians’ prescription. That said, doctors in these states may not legally do so without violating federal law and can lose their federal license to [...read more...]

Emmy-nomimated Peanuts Episode On Childhood Cancer

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 9:08 pm

Jan 242012

Emmy-nomimated Peanuts Episode On Childhood Cancer

This heartfelt story is a great way to introduce the difficult life topic of cancer to your children or students. I encourage you to watch this Emmy-nominated 1990 episode (“Why, Charlie Brown, Why?”) of the prime-time animated TV comic strip, Peanuts. It’s a touching story about a classmate of Charlie Brown and Linus, Janice, who gets diagnosed with leukemia. In typical Peanuts fashion, the story not only educates us (and our children) about the disease (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, side effects) but, Charles M. Schulz instills wonderful messages of empathy, compassion and strength throughout the 28-minute episode. I rate this two thumbs up!! (Shamelessly, I am sharing this with [...read more...]

Employing a multi-pronged anticancer approach using natural supplements and whole foods

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:52 am

Dec 022011

Employing a multi-pronged anticancer approach using natural supplements and whole foods

The data supporting anticancer activity in natural supplements is extensive. Unfortunately, oncologists and patients are hampered by the paucity of high-quality clinical trials in deciding which supplements might improve clinical outcomes. Designing and conducting these studies is expensive and will take many years before we have answers (i.e. which supplements work for which cancers, what doses are effective, how do they interact with other therapies/compounds, etc.) These studies can be done and must be done, but what do we do in the meantime? Most oncologists suggest to their patients that they simply consume a diet containing a wide-variety of phytonutrient [...read more...]

Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:39 pm

Aug 292011

Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

Metformin is a medication derived from the herb Galega officinalis (French lilac, also known as Goat’s Rue or Italian Fitch) and has been used as a traditional botanical (tea infusion) for over 3,000 years to relieve polyuria (frequent urination) and halitosis (sweet odor on the breath), both are now well known symptoms of diabetes. Approved for the treatment of hyperglycemia in Britain since the late 1950′s, Canada in the 1970′s and U.S. in 1995, metformin is the most widely prescribed diabetes drugs (over 120 million prescriptions filled yearly worldwide). Although the mechanism of action of metformin in diabetes is only partially understood, metformin treatment [...read more...]

The rising tide of the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: know the facts

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:11 pm

Aug 172011

The rising tide of the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: know the facts

The last decade has seen a steady rise (300% increase) in the number of individuals who are opting to undergo a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) as a means of reducing their risk of developing a new breast cancer in their opposite breast. (Listen to an audio discussion on this trend) This procedure is most compelling to those patients with an increased risk of developing a contralateral breast cancer (i.e. BRCA 1/2 gene mutations, strong family history of breast cancer, prior exposure of radiation to the breast, etc.), although CPM will significantly reduce the risk of developing a contralateral breast cancer in all [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology: Given the choice, would you really want any other approach to the treatment of cancer?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:51 pm

Jul 102011

Integrative Oncology: Given the choice, would you really want any other approach to the treatment of cancer?

In the “Integrative Oncology-Essentials Blog” (IOE Blog), I have covered a wide-range of topics pertaining to cancer treatment (i.e. from proton beam therapy to botanical medicines), managing side effects and symptoms (i.e. from exercise to acupuncture), identifying and preventing treatment-related complications (i.e. from lymphedema detection to acupuncture treatment for dry mouth), cancer prevention (i.e. from consuming an anti-cancer diet to taking baby aspirin), anti-cancer interventions and lifestyle modifications (i.e. from stress reduction to smoking cessation), and others. From time to time, we need to take a step back and simply review the overall concept of integrative oncology. What Is Integrative Oncology? [...read more...]

Basal & squamous skin cancers cured without surgery: 100+ years of experience using this non-surgical treatment

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:46 pm

Jul 062011

Basal & squamous skin cancers cured without surgery: 100+ years of experience using this non-surgical treatment

Did you know that radiation therapy is the most highly-effective, non-surgical treatment option for basal and squamous cell skin cancer? Radiation therapy has been used for the treatment of skin cancers since the early 1900′s and continues to be one of the best therapies available. Significant advances have revolutionized radiation therapy technologies, increasing treatment precision and reducing side effects. Although surgery is a very effective treatment, there are occasional risks: impaired wound healing (particularly in those with diabetes, the elderly, peripheral vascular disease, smokers) post-operative bleeding post-operative wound infections surgical scars functional and/or cosmetic deformities (in some circumstances skin grafts/flaps [...read more...]

Cancer has spread to a sentinel lymph node…do you need more extensive lymph node surgery?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:30 am

Jun 252011

Cancer has spread to a sentinel lymph node...do you need more extensive lymph node surgery?

Please share this post with anyone you know who was JUST diagnosed with breast cancer… A practice changing study, published in February 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reported the results of an important randomized trial of women with breast cancer who had metastatic involvement of their axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLN). A procedure call a “sentinel lymph node dissection” (SLND) enables the surgeon to examine whether cancer has spread from the tumor to the lymph nodes (in particular, to the “sentinel lymph node” or SLN). Patients whose SLNs are free of cancer do not need to [...read more...]

Mushrooms: Promising natural anti-cancer and immune modulatory effects

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:24 pm

Apr 182011

Mushrooms: Promising natural anti-cancer and immune modulatory effects

The medicinal use of mushrooms have been employed for over 3,000 years in the treatment of many conditions. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have been published indicating the wide-range of positive health effects of fungi (click on this link to see a breakdown of effects for various mushroom species), with much of the research focusing on varieties more commonly found in Asia. Human studies have found: immune stimulating/enhancing effects stimulation of cytotoxic T cells and enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity anti-viral effects (active against: herpes, human papilloma virus, Epstein Barr virus) anti-bacterial effects anti-cancer effects (i.e. pro-apoptosis, anti-angiogenic, inhibition of [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology Basics: download the NEW 2011 free guide on integrative oncology cancer care and prevention

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:50 pm

Jan 102011

Integrative Oncology Basics: download the *NEW 2011* free guide on integrative oncology cancer care and prevention

Welcome to INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY-ESSENTIALS (IOE). My name is Dr. Brian Lawenda, and I am one of only a handful of physicians in the United States who is a radiation oncologist, integrative oncologist and medical acupuncturist. I developed the IOE WEBSITE, BLOG and the Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention as a means of sharing up to date “Integrative Oncology” news, information and resources with my patients. I hope that this content is helpful to anyone living with or beyond a diagnosis of cancer.” Download the new 2011 guide here. Become a FAN to follow us [...read more...]

Lung cancer eradicated in 98% of patients with a rapid, 3 to 5-day course of radiation therapy: A new paradigm in the management of early stage lung cancer.

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:44 pm

Dec 102010

Lung cancer eradicated in 98% of patients with a rapid, 3 to 5-day course of radiation therapy: A new paradigm in the management of early stage lung cancer.

A recently reported study (in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010) demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of the latest radiation therapy technique (called “stereotactic body radiation therapy” or “SBRT”) in the treatment of early stage lung cancers (stage 1, T1-2N0M0, non-small cell carcinoma.) The study authors (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), reported a 97.6% local tumor control rate, 3 years after a 3-day course of SBRT (3 doses of 20 Gy). These excellent results are comparable to those achievable by surgery, but SBRT has the advantage of being a non-invasive treatment. A course of SBRT frequently involves 3-5 daily doses of external beam radiation. [...read more...]

One “baby aspirin” per day cuts cancer death risk by up to 60%

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 8:57 am

Dec 072010

One "baby aspirin" per day cuts cancer death risk by up to 60%

A study (published in the journal, Lancet, December 2010) reports that compared with placebo, taking 75 mg of aspirin per day (one baby aspirin=81 mg) for 4 years or more reduced the risk of dying from a variety of common cancers. These results were identified through a meta-analysis of 8 placebo-controlled randomized trials (comparing placebo vs. aspirin), in 25,570 patients. These studies were designed to explore the long-term effects of aspirin. They found the following risk reduction in cancer deaths: prostate cancer (10% risk reduction) lung cancer (30% risk reduction) colon, rectal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers (40% risk reduction) esophageal [...read more...]

Ugh!…Hot flashes: Try acupuncture

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:48 pm

Nov 282010

The dreaded hot flash is among the most annoying and common side effect experienced while taking various hormonal medications commonly prescribed for patients with breast and prostate cancers. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the intensity and/or frequency of hot flashes: Conventional therapies (although, these may have side effects of their own): Antidepressant medications (i.e. Effexor, etc.) Non-conventional/Complementary therapies: Acupuncture Meditation and breathing exercises Hypnosis Did you know that acupuncture was reported (Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2010) to be as effective as taking an anti-depressant medication (Effexor) in reducing hot flashes in women receiving antiestogren hormone therapy for [...read more...]

A five-day, non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer (called “stereotactic body radiation therapy” or “SBRT”) is now available

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:43 pm

Nov 242010

A five-day, non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer (called "stereotactic body radiation therapy" or "SBRT") is now available

Did you know that external radiation (when employed as 1st-line therapy for prostate cancer) is prescribed for 9-weeks of daily treatment? There is a new shorter, non-invasive option that has recently become available…read on… Patients have many options available to them for managing prostate cancer (i.e. observation/watchful waiting, surgery, external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, cryosurgery, HIFU, hormonal therapy, etc.) The most commonly selected non-invasive treatment option involves a highly-effective, 9-week external beam radiation treatment course. Although there have not been any randomized controlled trials that have compared surgery to radiation therapy for prostate cancer, most of the data suggest that both approaches [...read more...]

A common prostate cancer therapy increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:55 pm

Oct 242010

A common prostate cancer therapy increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes

Men who have aggressive (high-risk), advanced or metastatic prostate cancer are commonly prescribed hormonal therapy drugs called, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists that suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the production of testosterone. This class of medication is very effective in slowing the growth of prostate cancer progression and in many cases, increasing survival in advanced stages of the disease. Examples of GnRH agonists include: Eligard, Lupron, Synarel, Trelstar, Vantas, Viadur, Zoladex Side effects and complications from the long term use of these medications have been well-documented (i.e. hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, muscle mass loss, osteopenia, decreased libido, etc.) New data has concluded that [...read more...]

Curcumin (a natural compound in curry) enhances the effects of chemotherapy

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:48 pm

Oct 242010

Curcumin (a natural compound in curry) enhances the effects of chemotherapy

Multiple studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, a natural compound found in the yellow spice, turmeric (used in curry.) Research seems very promising suggesting that adding supplemental curcumin (likely as a high-dose isolated extract) may enhance the anti-cancer effects of certain chemotherapy drugs and possibly radiation therapy. To date, most of the studies have been conducted in petri dishes and in animals. A recently published manuscript (in October 2010, in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics) reported a significant cancer inhibitory effect on implanted head and neck cancer tumors (specifically, squamous cell carcinomas) in mice that were given a [...read more...]

Heart health and cancer care: “CardiOncology” emerges as a new medical subspeciality to address the cardiac complications of cancer care

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:11 am

Oct 182010

Heart health and cancer care: "CardiOncology" emerges as a new medical subspeciality to address the cardiac complications of cancer care

Dangerous cardiovascular complications are becoming increasingly evident in cancer patients and survivors. Radiation therapy and numerous cancer drugs can injury the heart and coronary arteries, leading to serious medical conditions that if not identified and managed appropriately can decrease both quality of life and survival. Cancer drugs such as anthracylines (i.e. Adriamycin), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (i.e. Gleevec, Sutent) and targeted antibody therapies (i.e. Herceptin) can cause or exacerbate heart failure, and drugs that block the development of blood vessels to tumors (i.e. Avastin, Nexavar, Votrient) can lead to dramatic rises in blood pressure (as well as: hemorrhage, thrombosis, nephrotoxicity and [...read more...]

Physical limitations after cancer treatment: a silent killer

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 8:49 pm

Oct 042010

Physical limitations after cancer treatment: a silent killer

In a recently published study (available online, in September 2010, Journal of the National Cancer Institute), investigators reported their findings on a group of 2202 women with breast cancer who were followed for up to 11-years after their initial treatment. During the study, the authors prospectively assessed the patients’ physical attributes, functions and limitations (i.e. endurance, strength, muscle range of motion, muscle dexterity, body mass index, smoking, physical activity) and other variables (i.e. sociodemographic factors, comorbodities, tumor charactersistics, treament.) They discovered that 39% of all cancer survivors (and 50% in those over the age of 65) reported at least one [...read more...]

Greater than 50% of breast cancer patients either discontinue or are non-adherent to hormonal therapy regimens

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:59 am

Jun 292010

Greater than 50% of breast cancer patients either discontinue or are non-adherent to hormonal therapy regimens

In a study published, in June 2010 (in the Journal of Clinical Oncology) investigators have found that over 50% of breast cancer patients, who have been prescribed hormonal therapy medications (“aromatase inhibitors” or “Tamoxifen”) for preventing recurrence of breast cancer, either prematurely discontinue or do not take their medication as prescribed (“non-adherence” was defined in this study as, taking <80% of the prescribed pills.) All patients in this study (8,769 patients) had “estrogen positive”, invasive breast cancers (stages 1-3) and were therefore recommended to take hormonal therapy for a total of 5-years. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients who take less than 5-years [...read more...]

Prostate cancer may be 30% less likely to recur in men on a common cholesterol lowering medication

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 2:18 pm

Jun 282010

Prostate cancer may be 30% less likely to recur in men on a common cholesterol lowering medication

In a study published in late June/early July 2010 (in the journal Cancer) investigators report that men who underwent surgery for prostate cancer and had been taking a common cholesterol lowering medication (“statins”), at the time of surgery, were overall 30% less likely to have a recurrence of their prostate cancer than men who were not taking this medication. On further analysis, the authors describe a dose response relationship in the amount of statin medications taken and the relative risk of cancer recurrence (i.e. the higher the amount of the statin, the lower risk of recurrence.) They found that in those patients [...read more...]

Are you on Tamoxifen? A simple test can tell you if you are at a high risk of blood clots

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:49 pm

Jun 172010

Are you on Tamoxifen? A simple test can tell you if you are at a high risk of blood clots

In a study, published in June 2010 (in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute) investigators reported that breast cancer patients who were on Tamoxifen (a hormonal drug that blocks the estrogen receptors on tumor cells) and had a unique gene mutation (called “Factor 5 Leiden” or “FVL”) were 5-times more likely to develop blood clots or thromboembolic events (i.e. pulmonary emobolism) than patients without this genetic mutation. Tamoxifen has been previously reported to increase a patients risk of developing a thromboembolic event (TE) by 2-times compared to those not on Tamoxifen. This is widely known in oncology and is [...read more...]

Drink your green tea: a green tea nutrient slows progression of a common cancer

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:25 pm

Jun 142010

Drink your green tea: a green tea nutrient slows progression of a common cancer

In a study presented, in June 2010, (at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting), investigators report a 69% response rate (reduction in lymphocyte count by >/=20% or a 50% reduction in lymph node size) in patients with a common leukemia type, called chronic lymphoctyic leukemia (CLL), when they received a green tea extract (EGCG). The EGCG was well tolerated with very few side effects. (Read More Here) Since this cancer often affects individuals who are diagnosed with it for many years, having a therapy that is safe and effective (and inexpensive) is an attractive option. Without more rigorous [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention (Free Download!!)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:42 pm

May 312010

Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients' Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention (Free Download!!)

I have written a guide (Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Cancer Prevention) for my patients that covers many of the important topics I address in my integrative oncology lectures and consultations. I am pleased to offer this guide, as a free download (CLICK HERE: IOE Guide_V3). I really hope that the information is helpful to you, your loved ones and anyone who is interested in learning more about using integrative oncology approaches to cancer prevention and cancer care. I would be grateful to hear your comments and suggestions on how to improve future versions of this [...read more...]

What is Integrative Oncology? I created diagrams to illustrate the holism and complexity of this fascinating subject.

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:08 pm

May 072010

What is Integrative Oncology? I created diagrams to illustrate the holism and complexity of this fascinating subject.

Visit the Integrative Oncology-Essentials Website to learn more about the core principles to help prevent cancer development and cancer recurrence. I developed diagrams (CLICK HERE to see in FULL-SIZE) to help explain to my patients the core principles of integrative oncology. It shows the process of how healthy, normal cells transform into cancer cells. They demonstrate how lifestyle and behaviors can influence this process and can be used to decrease one’s risk of cancer development and progression. Importantly, the diagrams show how cancer and its’ treatment can lead to the development and exacerbation of other medical problems (Did you know that most [...read more...]

Prostate cancer vaccine significantly improves survival

Posted by admin at 12:37 pm

Apr 302010

Prostate cancer vaccine significantly improves survival

The FDA approved a new prostate cancer vaccine (Provenge) in April 2010. This vaccine stimulates the body’s immune system by helping specific cancer-fighting cells (dendritic cells) to identify and destroy prostate cancer cells. The therapy requires 3 injections of the vaccine within one month, and costs approximately $100,000 for the course. It has been shown to increase the survival time in men with late stage prostate cancer, by 4 months. This is certainly no cure, but it significantly increases the length of survival in these men who have few other options. The vaccine is only approved for treatment in those [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology Essentials