Posted by Admin
Post Date : Friday June 29 2007

BB was diagnosed with stage 4, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in June 2005 at the age of 74. She had a compression fracture (which was later determined to be from the malignancy) and was scheduled to have cement put in her spine. It was cancelled because an x-ray showed a nodule in her lung. Her biopsy, CAT and MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Her oncologist recommended 10 radiation treatments to her vertebrae and Tarceva, which she started immediately after diagnosis in mid-June. This was for palliative care only. She started taking Poly-MVA approximately at the same time her treatment started. He immediately went up to 8 tsp/day. On August 29, 2005 she had a follow up CT scan showing that the tumor was stable and no growth had occurred. The oncologist was pleased and surprised. She was being monitored approximately every two months. In October 2005 her CT scan revealed complete resolution of the tumor. Her oncologist was shocked. He never expected this to clear in his clinical experience. He told both her and her daughter that she is doing better than 95% of his patients and that the conventional treatment was only an attempt to slow progression. She later found out from her daughter (when she was in remission) that the oncologist said she had only 8 months to live even with treatment. Tarceva and radiation does not cure stage 4 NSCLC. Her subsequent CT scans in July 2006 and May 2007 still demonstrate complete remission of the cancer. Her quality of life is 100% and she takes care of her homebound husband. She reduced her dose of Poly-MVA to 2 tsp/day in February 2007. She is monitored with CT scans approximately ever 4 months. The time between scans will continue to increase as her scans remain clear. If at any point in time there is evidence of tumor growth on the scan, she will immediately increase her Poly-MVA dose to 8 tsp/day or more. Her oncologist will be taking her off Zometa over the next few months when two years are completed. Recently had an x-ray on July 12, 2007 was negative for cancer and otherwise normal. Will have a follow up CT scan on Sept 4, 2007. Takes Lasix and potassium for many years for water retention in legs and for peripheral vascular disease, CoQ10 and several other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

UPDATE: 9/26/07 New CT scan report on 9/4/07: No evidence of significant mediastinal, hillar or axillary adenopathy. A 3.5 mm hypoattenuating lesion within the right lobe of liver is unchanged and represents a cyst and a small renal cyst is also seen. Scattered lymph nodes are not enlarged by size criteria. The spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, left kidney, stomach and duodenum are unremarkable in appearance. A right hip replacement is visualized. A 11 mm nodular density in left lower lobe and 3 mm ovoid nodular density in the lingual are unchanged from the prior study (CT scan). Stable hepatic, right renal cysts.

UPDATE: 9/26/07 New NM bone scan whole body on 9/4/07: The increased activity of the upper thoracic spine seen on the current study was present on the prior examination (7/11/06) but it is much less intense today. Mild activity within the lumbar spine was present on the prior examination as well and is likely degenerative and is unchanged. Oncologist viewed both reports and considers patient in remission.

Case study written by Dr. Shari Lieberman as a part of the Poly-MVA Best Case Series.