It may come as a shock to learn that most people with cancer don’t die from their disease. Rather, they die far more often from the complications associated with cancer and its treatments. Therefore, it follows that taking steps to prevent or mitigate these complications can be a life-saving strategy.
Among the more common complications that may crop up in people with cancer are the following: (1) the “wasting syndrome” known as cachexia; (2) infections, accompanied by fevers and neutropenia; (3) thromboembolism, a clotting problem; and (4) pain syndrome; intractable pain resulting from cancer or its treatment. When these situations arise, they may call for either a medical visit or a trip to the emergency room. However, there is some good news: Many, if not most of these crises can be either prevented, resolved, or their severity reduced significantly when patients are carefully assessed and monitored, and an appropriate treatment plan is implemented.
Let’s take a look at each of these major complications, starting with cachexia. Cachexia is a wasting syndrome marked by significant, out-of-control weight loss. The current scientific consensus is that cancer cachexia results primarily from an underlying metabolic imbalance induced by the cancer, which causes the body’s metabolism to speed up. This generates a chronic, low-grade inflammation and the breakdown of muscle and other lean tissues, as well as immune suppression. This condition is a leading cause of cancer-related death and affects up to two thirds of all cancer patients. Unfortunately, many – if not most – cancer specialists oncologists and dietitians advise patients with this condition to eat whatever they feel like eating. And when this includes the typical American diet – heavy on fats, refined flours and sugars – a patient can actually be feeding this muscle-wasting process, and ultimately be promoting the very disease they’re trying to fight! My blog posting next week will provide additional information about cachexia, and how it can be effectively addressed by the use of pharmaceuticals, nutritional agents, herbs, and other integrative strategies.
The second major complication, infection (including pneumonia and sepsis), is very common among patients with advanced malignancies, and constitutes the number one cause of cancer-related death. This usually arises because the immune system can become suppressed by cancer, as well as by conventionally administered chemotherapy, which leads to febrile neutropenia, a low white blood cell (WBC) count, accompanied by fever. About 60% of patients with febrile neutropenia have an infection that requires treatment with antibiotics. Those most at risk of contracting dangerous infections include patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy; this is particularly true with older patients. Again however, there are practical ways to bolster your WBCs and fend off infections, and antibiotics can be very real lifesavers. Indeed, the treatment of patients with febrile neutropenia has greatly improved in recent years, and the overall mortality rate has dropped from 21% to 7%. Even with the proper use of antibiotics, however, taking steps to optimally support your immune system is crucial.
The third problem, thromboembolism, refers to the blocking of a blood vessel by a blood clot dislodged from its site of origin. Blood clotting imbalances are common in people with cancer and can sometimes escalate into full-blown crises. Advanced cancer can predispose you to a life-threatening condition known as venous thromboembolism (VTE)—the detachment and movement of a blood clot from, for example, a deep vein of the leg to another site, such as an artery in the lungs. Unless clot-dissolving or blood-thinning drugs are given quickly, an embolism in the lungs can be fatal. VTEs are among the most common causes of death in cancer patients undergoing surgery, with a three-fold increased risk of dying for surgical patients who develop VTEs. One way to prevent this problem is by helping patients become “fit for surgery” as well as physically active soon after surgery. In addition, nutritional and herbal strategies to maintain a healthy blood quality can play a beneficial role.
Finally we come to the problem of cancer-related pain, also known as the “fifth vital sign” for people with cancer. Most tumors do not hurt, which is why those that grow internally tend to escape our attention. But occasionally a tumor will press on a nerve or on some vital organ. A tumor can irritate a nerve, not unlike a “slipped disc” causes irritation of the spinal cord. Alternatively, the immune system may react strongly enough to the tumor to make the area inflamed, and this can in turn cause pain. Cancer-related pain occurs in about one-third of all cancer patients, and in about two-thirds of all patients with advanced cancer. Additionally, disease- and treatment-related pain is a major cause of inactivity, which can lead to other complications, including pneumonia, developing a thrombosis, and treatment failure. In the vast majority of cases, however, this pain can be completely or mostly controlled with the use of appropriate analgesics, which can be used in conjunction with softer, complementary therapies such as acupuncture and hypnosis.
At the Block Center, we embrace an array of integrative therapies that can be used to treat—and often prevent—the various complications that can send you into a downward spiral. By thinking strategically to ward off these emergency situations, you’ll do far more than just give yourself peace of mind. Ultimately, you’ll be more likely to reach your treatment goals and improve your survival. And remember, if at any time you have concerns about some change in your body and cannot reach your physician, you should immediately head to the emergency room.
After cancer surgery, remove omentum, appendix, complete hysterectomy followed by 8 months chemo...I was doing pretty well until sudden pain, nausea and had to have more surgery because of scar tissue in the intestines and a complete blockage. Now I am afraid I'll have to go thru this again. Is there anything I can do, eat, take, that will help prevent more scar tissue?
Thank you.
Posted by: Mary Gerard | 01/20/2011 at 07:33 PM
Overcoming any kind of cancer is truly triumphant. Lives are saved and their loved ones are filled with joy as they were able to surpass a life-threatening illness. People get a second chance in life and they learn to appreciate even the simplest of achievements. Thanks to the advancement in medical cancer research and technological tools being used by scientists and doctors today, those who are diagnosed with cancer are given a fighting chance with this ordeal.
Posted by: cancer research fundraisers | 10/18/2011 at 01:53 AM