Hello all. My boss found out today that his father is pretty eaten up with cancer (started with lymph nodes, and after exploratory surgery, discovered that it has metastasized throughout his body). Anyway, the prognosis is very poor and I imagine he has just months left, if that. So, my boss calls me from Buffalo today and had me make a few calls to area MDs that are fairly well known for alternative therapies, and they are going to speak tomorrow when my boss returns home. In the meantime, I would like to do some internet research on therapies (i.e. homeapathy, etc.) so he can read up on it when he comes in the office tomorrow. He and I both know that alternative therapies can be dubious and often unmeasurable, but I think he is looking for something to hope for more than anything else. Any suggestions that you know of on reputable websites, contacts or resources I could explore? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I wish I could be of more help, and maybe some SDoper can add to this suggestion. But, IIRC, prior to the Internet, I was told to check out (by modem) a resource called “Lexis-Nexus”. I don’t know if, today, this is a free medical search engine? Maybe a Google search on this name will help? (I am not sure of the exact spelling. Please try variations of the spelling.) - Jinx
I’m sorry, but reputable and alternative therapies for cancer generally do not co-incide. I’ve never discouraged my patients from trying said therapies, as long as they did not substitute them for evidence-based therapies or spend buckets of money on them. They can certainly provide hope, which is a good thing, if not purchased at too dear of a price. But in my experience, hope is about the only positive thing they provide.
Here’s a list of dubious and dangerous “alternative cancer therapies”: http://www.quackwatch.org/00AboutQuackwatch/altseek.html
I don’t mean to be a downer, but I’d encourage using the money spent on alternate therapies to be spent on quality time with family, and living out some other dreams. YMMV.
Personally, I lean toward agreeing with you, it is not my decision to make, but my employer and his family. Regardless, I appreciate the link. I will certainly check it out.
edited to fix coding
I seem to recall some medical trials based on the discovery that some cancers will prodce chemicals that inhibit other cancers from metastisizing. (is that the word?) Anyhow, maybe you could get him into a clinical trial?
They are doing some work with lymphomas and Radioimmunotherapy. It was just approved by the FDA for use. He can check it out at Sloan-Kettering in New York and also a Dr. Leo Gordon at Northwestern University in Chicago. They both have some info on their web sites. It’s the most recent advancement in the treatment of lymphoma type cancers. There are also bone and stem cell transplants available. I guess it all depends on his prognosis. Doesn’t sound like things are too positive.
Please tell him to stick with reputable sources. There are many bottom feeders out there who profit from other’s misery.
Mercotan gave very good advice. Also, I don’t mean to sound cold, but you might also suggest that there will come a time when Hospice will be needed.