TESTIMONIAL – CANCER OF THE OESOPHAGUS
Case No. 9, Mr. P, aged 80 – this is a case that was published in Dr. Georgiou’s book entitled: “Curing the Incurable with Holistic Medicine: The Da Vinci Secret Revealed.”
Main presenting problems:
Cancer of the oesophagus, chronic osteoarthritis of knee and shoulders, recurring urine infections, intermittent diarrhoea, bowel distention.
Medical diagnosis:
Oesophageal carcinoma – the report written by the Professor of Gastrointestinal Medicine in the UK said: “he presented with progressive dysphagia over two months with progressive weight loss – after examination it was revealed that he had oesophageal adenocarcinoma beginning at 35 cm and extending for 8 cm across the gastro oesophageal junction. EUS demonstrates that the tumour involves the right pleura, making it T4, with involved peri-oesophageal lymph nodes (N1), but no distant metastases. I have recommended neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with three cycles of ECCap. This provides a slightly prolonged course of treatment, with more opportunity for tumour shrinkage, and also limits the cisplatin dose to avoid toxicity, compared with the standard OE02 schedule.”
In August 2006 he had an Ivor Lewis partial oesopagogastrectomy where part of the stomach and oesophagus was removed.
In the UK where he lived, he was also diagnosed with osteoarthritic changes in both knee and patello femoral joints. He was given Diclomax anti-inflammatories which he has been taking for 20 years to control the acute pain. Also hypercholestermia with cholesterol levels around 270.
His medical history contains information from 1982 when he developed a serious lung infection that was probably mycoplasma pneumonia. There was also an epididymal cyst which had swelling for many months. In the early 1990’s he developed episodic palpitations – he was a heavy smoker but stopped in the mid 1980’s. In the mid 90’s he developed moderate bilateral sensori-neural loss, but he was working in a noisy environment for at least 20 years, owning his own restaurant with noisy kitchen fans.
Holistic diagnosis:
Mr. P was referred to the Davinci Natural Health Centre by his daughter who was also a patient of ours. She was concerned with a variety of symptoms that her father had which had not been alleviated by orthodox medicine. She was also concerned that he should take precautions after his initial diagnosis of oesophageal cancer in order to prevent any further metastases – prognosis for oesophageal cancer is generally not good in the elderly with less than 8% surviving for 5 years after diagnosis.[1] Mr. P went through the IDEL Diagnostic Programme to determine hidden underlying causes to his illness.
VEGA allergy testing revealed a number of food intolerances such as wheat, milk and lactose, pork, chicken, onions, garlic, leeks and caffeine. Further testing of the organ systems using VEGA and ART showed imbalances in the lymph nodes, colon, prostate, thyroid, tuba auditiva, lungs, liver, gallbladder, stomach and pancreas. The primary organ in the pathogenesis of disease was the pancreas as on ART testing this was blocking his ANS regulation completely.
Further VEGA testing indicated toxic metal burden with lead, aluminium and mercury which was later confirmed using other tests.
ART testing for scar foci indicated a scar on the right side of the head that he had incurred after a fall in the garden while he was on chemotherapy.
Iridology had shown hypochlorhydria or a deficiency in the production of hydrochloric acid, lacunas on the pancreas indicating a hereditary predisposition to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, an arcus senilus indicating poor circulation to the brain and parts of the head, irritation of the right ear (he had considerable hearing loss in this ear) and thyroid gland. There were psora spots in the kidney and liver regions with considerable lymphatic congestion.
Darkfield microscopy examining living blood showed a considerable number of uric acid crystals, fibrinogen which is usually an indication of liver congestion and toxicity, rouleau of the erythrocytes indicating poor circulation and oxygenation and a fermentation of cells that was probably related to the systemic Candidiasis overgrowth.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) testing was impressive for a 78 years old man as it showed that the functioning of the physiological systems were quite close to the average level with a score of 8 (1 is the best possible; 13 the worse). His adaptation reserve, or his ability to adapt to stress was quite low with a score of 6 (1 is best possible; 7 is worst possible). Recent testing (September 2009) has shown a dramatic improvement in his HRV – risen from 8,6 to 5,4 – there are many much younger people that do not have such a score!
Biological Terrain Analysis testing using urine and saliva showed that ATP energy production was compromised in the mitochondria, probably as a result of heavy metals and other xenobiotics. There was also a considerable depletion of minerals and a lack of available minerals in the body – this is probably related to poor stomach digestion due to the hypochlorhydria and pancreatic enzyme deficiencies that would result in poor digestion of foods and malabsorption problems. There were also indications of poor kidney drainage due to congestion and toxicity of the kidney that can also be related to minerals not being available to the body.
Tissue Hair Mineral Analysis (THMA) has shown that there was a serious zinc deficiency, which he may have had for years as this may have been the reason for him developing pneumonia.[2] Zinc is an essential co-factor in a variety of cellular processes including DNA synthesis, behavioural responses, reproduction, bone formation, growth and wound healing.[3]
Zinc is necessary for the free-radical quenching activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant enzyme which breaks down the free-radical superoxide to form hydrogen peroxide.[4] Zinc is also required for the proper function of T-lymphocytes.[5]
We know that zinc combats oxidative damage from free radicals, it plays a role in DNA repair, and that it has important anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps to shut off proliferation of mutant cells. Zinc deficiency seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Going back to Mr. P’s hair analysis, there were also a number of heavy metals shown to be actively circulating including lead, aluminium and arsenic. All these metals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. These metals can also inhibit the absorption and utilization of calcium, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron, causing serious deficiencies.
We have already discussed in Chapter 11 the destruction of important cytochrome enzymes by heavy metals and xenobiotics which destroy cardiolipine, a lipid contained in the inner mitochondrial membrane, to which the cytochrome enzymes of the respiratory chain are attached. When the cardiolipine is destroyed by these pernicious agents, the oxidative processes are adversely affected[6] therefore increasing the probability of aerobic cells converting to anaerobic cancer cells.
Thermography showed: “hyperthermia over the upper border of the frontal region (L>R) that correlates with a discrete bilateral hyperthermia over the ethmoid sinuses. These thermal findings can also explain the patient’s complaints of headaches. Hyperthermic patterns on the left side of the buccal cavity possibly indicate an oral (dental or periodontal) pathology. At the inferior border of both lateral neck regions, diffuse hyperthermia is recorded suggesting an increased muscular tension over the platysma mainly on the left side, but a developing vascular inflammation of the carotid artery should not be excluded (right side). Central type hyperthermia observed over the thyroid region may also suggest a thyroid dysfunction.”
“There is an intense muscular type diffuse hyperthermia over the entire posterior neck region extending inferiorly to the upper back, between the scapulas. These muscular inflammatory findings indicate a possible involvement of the trapezius, levarors scapula and rhomboid muscles.”
“There are no significant thermal asymmetries or temperature differentials seen in the chest. There are no suspicious thermal patterns on the left side of the hemithorax suggesting any cardiovascular involvement. The only significant thermal pattern is the central hyperthermia observed on the lower level of the sternum relating to the oesophageal pathology. Slight diffuse hyperthermia is also seen on both deltoid regions suggesting a developing inflammatory involvement.”
“There are no significant thermal asymmetries seen in the abdomen. There is a central type periumbilical hypothermia (R>L) that may indicate a developing visceral involvement of the colon. There are no recorded thermal patterns from the epigastrium.”
Holistic treatments:
There were a number of treatments that Mr. P undertook to bring his body biochemistry back to normal – first, he began with an alkaline detoxification programme eating only fruit, salads, steamed vegetables, vegetable juices and herbal teas for two weeks. Concomitantly, he began a parasite cleanse using three herbs, walnut tincture, wormwood and cloves, which lasted two weeks. At the end of the two weeks he did a gallbladder flush, flushing out a number of gallstones.
He also began taking a number of supplements including a high-potency multivitamin formula, betaine HCl and pepsin to help stomach digestion, pancreatic enzymes to help gut digestion, HMD,® Organic Lavage and Chlorella to help eliminate the burden of heavy metals,[7] Essiac Tea,[8],[9] Milk thistle[10],[11] to help the liver, glucosamine to help strengthen cartilage and aid in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, therefore helping the osteoarthritis.[12],[13] He also took systemic enzymes such as Wobenzyme-N for helping to dissolve the sialo-glycoprotein coat around cancer cells which disguise them from recognition by the immune system and stimulate various components of the immune system such as Natural Killer cells, T-cells and Tumor Necrosis factor. Mr. P was also given PolyMVA, a Palladium lipoic acid complex (LAPd).
LAPd appears to be the first potential therapeutic agent developed to target and inactivate the altered pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex that is crucial to the energy metabolism of tumour cells. Through this mechanism of action, LAPd appears to stop the growth, replication, and long-term function of tumour cells.[14]
Another action of LAPd is in the reduction of electrons within DNA, which has the effect of mediating DNA synthesis, clinically applicable in restricting tumour growth or virus replication (see Bingham, reference 13 below).
Within about three weeks of beginning the detoxification protocols his diarrhoea had stopped completely and he was feeling well with good energy levels. About six weeks into the treatment protocol he was feeling and looking very well – he was working for an hour per day in the garden, he was eating well and his weight was stable. He has also stopped taking all medicinal drugs, including the painkillers and anti-inflammatories that he was taking for many years – he was quite pain-free in all joints, even though he had difficulty walking a couple of years ago.
A further tissue hair mineral analysis revealed that his aluminium levels after chelating with the natural chelator HMD® had greatly increased from 52 ppm to 73 ppm. This is an indication that he had a considerable amount of aluminium stored in his body tissues and organs, probably related to antacids that he used to take for many years which contain aluminium as a preservative. Hair mineral analysis is a good tool to use to determine whether there are toxic metals stored in the body.[15] Further hair testing have recently showed that the level of aluminium, lead and other toxic metals had began to reduce considerably with the help of the HMD.®
By the time Mr. P had completed his Candida protocol[16],[17] he was feeling extremely well – he was full of joy at not having any pain in his body, he had plenty of energy to do 2-3 hours of non-stop gardening, spend a few hours fishing in the early morning hours, as well as swim in the sea regularly. He has stopped all medicinal drugs, including the anti-inflammatories that he we was taking for 25 years for the osteoarthritis of the knee and may have been one of the key factors that triggered the oesophageal cancer. He has no further arthritic pains and the difficult urine infection has cleared up, probably caused by the systemic Candida and his chronic hypochlorhydria and other digestive problems have gone completely and he is basically eating within a healthy, optimal diet.
Recent blood tests have shown that his iron levels have risen to the normal level, probably as a result of his stomach now being able to absorb the iron, vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor due to the increased production of hydrochloric acid. His liver and kidney function tests such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, urea and creatinine are all within normal levels, and so are all his mineral levels, including zinc.
It is also worth reiterating that his Heart Rate Variability (HRV) score had improved in about one year from 8,6 to 5,4 – this is a dramatic improvement in the functioning of all the physiological systems, as well as his adaptation reserve or his ability to cope with stressful situations. This is reflected by the fact that he is capable of 2-3 hours of gardening, getting up at dawn to go fishing, as well as swimming in the sea for an hour or so.
Patient’s own account:
My favourite hobby is fishing. I am 79 years old and I still enjoy waking up very early in the morning and go for fishing. One day, in April 2006, while I was fishing I ate some cheese cake and all of a sudden it was very painful. This pain was getting worse for the next 2-3 months.
So, I planned an endoscopy in Cyprus and I was diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. I decided to have the surgery done in the following August of that year in U.K. I have to say, that I had a pre-operative chemotherapy before the resection of the tumour. It was a locally advanced tumour which had spread through the wall of the oesophagus with local lymph node involvement. Fortunately, it was an early stage tumour blocking my oesophagus while eating, without any significant perforation.
Even though I felt much better after the surgery, intermittent diarrhoeas accompanied me after the surgery, urinary tract infections and urinary frequency. Most of the times when I urinated, it was very painful. I took antibiotics and there was no improvement. In fact I got worse!
Despite the fact that I am a very active, energetic person and above all very positive, these symptoms made me feel weak, tired, lethargic and made me feel very sad for losing my energy. Added to this, I have osteoarthritis problem in one knee, which can be very painful, so I used to take so many anti-inflammatory pills and as a consequence I injured my stomach and it started getting painful too. My diarrhoeas went on without finding a solution and my daughter insisted to visit the DaVinci Natural Health Center while I was next in Cyprus.
We booked an appointment and I began a bespoke treatment protocol based on the diagnostic information that was gathered by Dr. Georgiou. I started with a detox diet – to my pleasant surprise my diarrhoeas disappeared shortly thereafter! I couldn’t believe that this nightmare had finally come to an end. My diet has been improved dramatically and I am also taking natural products for osteoarthritis. My knee hurts very slightly now (in 2008), and my stomach doesn’t hurt anymore. I feel so much better, I gained back my energy levels and I started doing things again like before the surgery. I have to say that I had a dramatic improvement of my quality of life up to 75%.
Now in 2009, I can honestly say that most of my symptoms have gone completely – I feel full of energy, my stomach and gut are relaxed and I can eat most things with no problems, the painful knees and joints have gone and I have also stopped taking all the anti-inflammatories that I was taking for over 25 years – I think this is where my cancer came from initially with all these drugs eating away my stomach. I am thoroughly enjoying life to the full and doing all the things that I ever wanted to do such as fishing, gardening and swimming in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea on the island of Aphrodite.
Dr Georgiou’s final comments on Mr. P:
Mr. P is truly a charming man who has a lot of charisma and a joyous, positive attitude to life – this spiritual state may be one of the primary reasons why he is still with us. Even at the age of 80 he was able to follow treatment protocols to a tee and never complained about anything, always trying to see the positive side of things.
Many a true scientist has commented from way back that the digestive system is the culprit for the development of many chronic diseases. Here is a case where a man was taking anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) – the last one that he was taking was Diclomax. One of the side effects of most NSAIDS is: “NSAIDs can occasionally cause serious side effects on the gut, such as ulceration, bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining. This type of side effect is more likely to occur in elderly people.”[18]
This constant irritation of the stomach lining by these drugs will adversely affect the stomach to produce sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid – this is called hypochlorhydria (deficiency of hydrochloric acid production). This continued over many years which did not allow the proper digestion of protein concentrates or the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins such as iron, vitamin B12, calcium and intrinsic factor.
Over many years, the hypochlorhydria will develop Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux disease, which occurs when liquid from the stomach backs up (regurgitates) into the oesophagus – the need for the stomach to keep food for much longer periods in its attempt to digest it will cause fermentation and gaseous production which will place stress on the sphincter muscles at the entrance and exit to the stomach. This liquid may contain stomach acids and bile. In some cases, the regurgitated stomach liquid can cause inflammation (oesophagitis), irritation, and damage to the oesophagus.[19] This inflammation and damage to the lining of the oesophagus sets up the conditions required for cancer cells to proliferate.
To add insult to injury, he was also taking many antacids and H-proton inhibitors for stomach problem which only help to minimize the production of stomach acids, or neutralize them, making the patient feel better but greatly aggravating the hypochlorhydria driving it into achlorhydria. The antacids usually contain lots of toxic aluminium which is a further cause of cancer cells proliferating. According to a Swedish study, people with long term acid reflux are at least 5 times more likely to develop adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus than average, whether they have Barrett’s oesophagus or not.
Removing a part of the oesophagus and stomach because of the cancer did not really address the underlying causes – now that the hypochlorhydria has been eradicated, as well as many of the heavy metals, and his body is nourished with the correct nutrients that it requires he is functioning symptom-free and enjoying life at the ripe age of 80. I bow to Mr. P for his determination to get to the bottom of things, his self-discipline to complete his treatment protocols and above all his joyous outlook to life and his willingness to live life to the full.
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[1]Gilbert FJ, Thompson, A.M., (eds), Scottish Audit of Gastric and Oesophageal Cancer. Report 1997-2000. A prospective audit. Scottish Audit of Gastric and Oesophageal Cancer Steering Group: Edinburgh, 2002.
[2] Meydani, SN., Barnett, JB., Dallal, GE., Fine, BC., Jacques, PF., Leka, LS., Hamer, DH. Serum zinc and pneumonia in nursing home elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2007.
[3] Barceloux DG. Zinc. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 37:279-92, 1999.
[4] Diamond WJ, et al. An alternative medicine definitive guide to cancer. Tiburon: Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., 793, 1997.
[5] Boik J. Cancer and natural medicine: a textbook of basic science and clinical research. Oregon: Medical Press 147, 1995.
[6] Green, DR., & Kroemer, G. The Pathophysiology of Mitochondrial Cell Death. Science Vol. 305. no. 5684, pp. 626 – 629, July 2004.
5 http://www.detoxmetals.com/Toxic-Metal-Detoxification-Protocol.html
[8] Tai, J., Cheung, S., Wong, S., and Lowe, C. In vitro comparison of Essiac and Flor-Essence on human tumour cell lines. Oncol.Rep. 11(2):471-476, 2004.
[9] Tamayo, C., Richardson, M. A., Diamond, S., and Skoda, I. The chemistry and biological activity of herbs used in Flor-Essence herbal tonic and Essiac. Phytother Res 14(1):1-14, 2000.
[10] Ladas EJ, Kelly KM. Milk thistle: is there a role for its use as an adjunct therapy in patients with cancer? J Altern Complement Med 9(3):411-416, 2003.
[11] Zuber R, Modriansky M, Dvorak Z, et al. Effect of silybin and its congeners on human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 activities. Phytother Res 16(7):632-638, 2002.
[12] Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med 23;354(8):795-808, Feb 2006.
[13] Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis Rheum 56(2):555-67, Feb 2007.
[14] Bingham, P, A Progress Report on the Analysis of Tumour-Cell Specific Killing by the Garnett McKeen Laboratory lipoic acid/palladium complex.
[15]http://www.detoxmetals.com/THMA.html
[16] Georgiou, GJ. Scourge of the 21st Century: Systemic Candidiasis. British Naturopathic Journal, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2008.
[17] Georgiou, GJ. Treating Systemic Candidiasis. British Naturopathic Journal, Vol. 25, No. 2, 2008.
[18] British National Formulary: https://www.medicinescomplete.com
[19] Marshall RE, Anggiansah A, Owen WA, et al. The relationship between acid and bile reflux and symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gut. 40(2):182-7, Feb 1997.
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