scholarly journals Integrative Treatment of Lung Cancer Patients: Observational Study of 57 Cases

Author(s):  
Lorenzo Anelli ◽  
Alessia Di Nardo ◽  
Massimo Bonucci

Abstract Introduction A retrospective clinical study was performed to identify the characteristics of patients with lung cancer treated with integrative cancer treatment in addition to conventional medicine. Materials and Methods We reviewed medical records for lung cancer patients who visited a single integrative setting in Rome, Italy. A total of 57 patients were included, and the majority had advanced-stage cancer. All of them underwent integrative therapy with nutrition and phytotherapy indications. The diet was designed to reduce most of possible factors promoting cancer proliferation, inflammation, and obesity. Foods with anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties had been chosen. Herbal supplements with known effects on lung cancer were prescribed. In particular, astragal, apigenine, fucosterol, polydatin, epigallocatechin gallate, cannabis, curcumin, and inositol were used. Furthermore, medical mushrooms and other substances were used to improve the immune system and to reduce chemotherapy side effects. Five key parameters have been evaluated for 2 years starting at the first surgery: nutritional status, immune status, discontinuation of therapy, quality of life, and prognosis of the disease. Results A relevant improvement in parameters relative to nutritional status, immune status, and quality of life has been observed after integrative therapy compared with the same parameters at the first medical visit before starting such approach. Conclusion The results suggest that integrative therapy may have benefits in patients with lung cancer. Even though there are limitations, the study suggests that integrative therapy could improve nutritional status and quality of life, with possible positive effect on overall survival.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3332
Author(s):  
Jacek Polański ◽  
Mariusz Chabowski ◽  
Natalia Świątoniowska-Lonc ◽  
Krzysztof Dudek ◽  
Beata Jankowska-Polańska ◽  
...  

Background. Between 34.5% and 69% of the patients with lung cancer are at risk of malnutrition. Quality of life (QoL) and physical status assessment provides valuable prognostic data on lung cancer patients. Malnutrition is a prognostic parameter for clinical outcome. Therefore, the identification of significant factors affecting the clinical outcome and QoL is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and outcome, i.e., overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL, in lung cancer patients. Materials and methods. We performed a systematic search of the Pubmed/MEDLINE databases per the Cochrane guidelines to conduct a meta-analysis consistent with the PRISMA statement, using the following keywords: “lung cancer,” “malnutrition,” “nutrition,” “quality of life,” “well-being,” “health-related quality of life,” and “outcome.” Out of the 96 papers identified, 12 were included in our meta-analysis. Results. Our meta-analysis shows that patients with a good nutritional status have a better QoL than malnourished patients in the following functioning domains: physical (g = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.46, p < 0.001), role (g = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.59, p < 0.001), emotional (g = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.24, p < 0.001), cognitive (g = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.06, p < 0.001), and social (g = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.56, p < 0.001). The risk of death was significantly higher in malnourished than in well-nourished patients (HR  = 1.53, 95% CI  = 1.25 to 1.86, p < 0.001). Nutritional status was significantly associated with survival, indicating that patients with a poorer nutritional status are at more risk of relapse. Conclusions. Nutritional status is a significant clinical and prognostic parameter in the assessment of lung cancer treatment. Malnutrition is associated with poorer outcome in terms of overall survival, time to tumor progression, and QoL in patients treated for lung cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 3029-3038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny G. Turcott ◽  
María del Rocío Guillen Núñez ◽  
Diana Flores-Estrada ◽  
Luis F. Oñate-Ocaña ◽  
Zyanya Lucia Zatarain-Barrón ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Parveen Shahida Akhtar ◽  
Nazreena Khatun ◽  
Rahnuma Parveen ◽  
Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Ferdous Ara

Background: Malnutrition is a frequent complication in patients with advanced staged lung cancer and can negatively affect the outcome of treatments. Lack of knowledge about nutrition, complications of disease and side effects of anticancer therapies can also lead to inadequate nutrient intake and subsequent malnutrition. Nutritional status is a strong predictor of quality of life in cancer patients. Objective: To get the effect of the nutritional intervention on outcome of dietary intake, body composition, nutritional status, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with lung cancer cachexia receiving chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: This 6 months study included the lung cancer patients who were interviewed with clinical assessment. Nutritional score of each patient was recorded. Individualized management plan with nutritional intervention was given and nutritional counseling was done by a nutritionist every week. Chemotherapy ± radiotherapy was given. Every patient was followed up at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th week and was assessed regarding symptoms, clinical findings, nutritional score and radiological status. Results: Total 628 lung cancer patients with 523 (83%) males and 105 (17%) females (Male: female 4.98:1) were enrolled. Mean age was 56.88 years. Two thirds of them were illiterate. Around 90% came from poor and below average socioeconomic group. More than 95% male and >66% female were tobacco users in different forms. On assessing nutritional score, almost all were with high risk score (95%). About 80% presented with WHO performance status at 2 and 3. About 61% patients got treatment after hospitalization. Following nutritional intervention along with supportive, symptomatic, treatment of comorbid diseases and anti-cancer treatment, the result showed that mean nutritional score at 1st and 2nd week were 8.24 and 6.63 (high risk), at 3rd and 6th week were 5.46 and 4.34 (Intermediate risk). There was a significant effect for time (p<.001). Symptomatic improvement occurred in 60% of the patients. Conclusion: Nutritional intervention improves nutritional score if the other treatment like supportive, symptomatic, comorbid condition and anticancer treatment could be applied adequately. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2019; 37(2): 66-71


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-277
Author(s):  
Sema Küçükkatirci ◽  
Habibe Sahin ◽  
Meltem Soylu ◽  
Betül Çiçek

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. A430
Author(s):  
L.M. Wintner ◽  
A. Zabernigg ◽  
J.M. Giesinger ◽  
M. Sztankay ◽  
K. Gattringer ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document