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Supportive Cancer Care

Modern science and technology has provided incredible advances in the treatment of many types of cancer and thereby improved the survival of many patients. But living with cancer is still a huge challenge and often extremely stressful. A potentially positive result of living with cancer is that it can create an impetus for life changes that may provide for a more fulfilling life. In this regard, there are many self-care or complementary strategies that can reduce the symptoms of cancer or the adverse effects of cancer treatment. Some of these include mind/body therapies, traditional Chinese medicine, energy medicine and herbal medicine.

The Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine, formerly known as the GBMC Alternative and Complementary Medicine Center and also a former affiliate of the Harvard Mind/Body Institute, provides many support services for Cancer patients such as Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine which can provide immune support and alleviation of side effects of conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. We also have licensed practitioners who teach patients several crucial self-care strategies such as meditation techniques, visualization, and guided imagery techniques, diet and exercise changes. Another modality, Reiki, has demonstrated success in relieving some symptoms and providing spiritual support. .

For the remainder of this article, I would like to focus on the herbal medicines that may be helpful for the support of patients with cancer. A few precautions must be emphasized. First, herbal medicines in this country are designated as dietary supplements, therefore quality and efficacy are not regulated by the FDA as they are for other pharmaceuticals. Quality and purity have been improving in recent years, but it is still prudent to buy standardized extracts from a reputable distributor. Secondly, patients should always discuss any planned herbal medicine usage with their physicians. While these substances are generally safe, some may cause allergic or other adverse reactions or potentially interact with medications.

Very little research has been focused on herbal or other complementary modalities until recently. Researchers at thirteen centers across the country funded by the NIH office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine are increasing the research efforts since its creation in 1992.

While the concept of using herbs to support patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation is relatively new in this country, doctors in China, Japan, and some European countries have been using these adjunctive therapies for years. While still preliminary, there is growing evidence that these adjunctive therapies can enhance immunity as well as increase the effectiveness of conventional treatments while reducing their side effects. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that herbs or other adjuncts can prolong survival rates. More research in this area is needed.

The botanical medicines (herbs) that have demonstrated support for the immune system and may be useful adjuncts to conventional therapy are astragalus and the extracts of mushrooms including maitake, reishi, shiitake, and zhu ling.

Astragalus has been used for decades in China as part of an herbal regimen to support immune function in cancer patients. Astragalus has been demonstrated in animal studies to increase natural killer cell activity and promoting splenic lymphocytes via increased interleukin-2 production. In vitro studies in human cells have also demonstrated immune enhancing properties.

The tonic mushrooms have also been recognized for years as valuable adjuncts to chemotherapy. In Japanese studies, the mushroom extract maitake d-fraction enhanced the effects of chemotherapy. It also has shown powerful anticancer properties in animal studies. Another mushroom reishi, has been revered in Tibet for over two thousand years to fortify the mind and body. Wang et al.(1997) demonstrated the anti-tumor effects of this mushroom and showed polysaccharides from an extract caused a five to twenty-nine fold increase in tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 and 6 and augmentation of T-lymphocytes.

Shiitake mushrooms, long used as a nutritious food, contain two substances- lentinan, a cell wall constituent, and a mycelium extract (LEM) that have demonstrated beneficial effects. Multiple animal studies and in vitro studies have shown increased immune properties. Several clinical studies of lentinan have shown promise especially when combined with conventional therapy. Zhu ling, another mushroom, has been shown to enhance chemotherapy in lung cancer patients.

Astragalus and the mushroom extracts have shown virtually no adverse reactions so far. All of these herbal substances in preliminary studies have shown promise as adjuncts to conventional treatments. While preliminary results are promising, further research is needed and patients should continue with conventional medical treatment. Further clinical studies will help to elucidate the role of botanical medicines in modern cancer therapy.

The Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine obtains the herbs mentioned in this article from several reputable herb companies that comply with US government standards. For more information please contact us at 410-828-3585.

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