8/30/2024
Patient Case Story: TD
Short Excerpt: Diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer in 2019, TD underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, supported by metabolic therapies, repurposed medications, and a clean, active lifestyle. Now more than five years post-diagnosis, he remains no evidence of disease (NED) at last follow-up, and attributes improvements in his overall well-being to a balanced regimen, strong family support, and disciplined metabolic health.
Patient Profile
- Age: 78 years
- Gender: Male
- Diagnosis: Pancreatic Cancer
- Stage at Diagnosis: Stage 3 with metastasis to small and large intestines and lymph nodes
- Date of Diagnosis: October 2019
Initial Presentation
Primary Signs/Symptoms: Loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, general malaise
Treatment History
1. Surgical Interventions
- First Surgery: October 2019
- Second Surgery: November 2019
2. Chemotherapy:
- Regimen – Gemcitabine-based combination treatment starting January 2020
- Alternative Therapies- High-dose Vitamin C injections twice per week during chemotherapy, along with pulsing metabolic strategies to enhance the chemotherapy treatment.
- Patient Report: The combination of alternative therapies, diet change, pulsing and juicing helped reduce chemotherapy side effects
3. Radiation Therapy:
- Duration- 1 month after completion of chemotherapy
4. Repurposed Metabolically Acting Medications:
- Medications Used: Metformin, Doxycycline, Atorvastatin,
Mebendazole – Duration- March 2020 – Present - Patient Report: No side effects from these medications
5. Supplements
- Supplements Used: Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fish Oils, Melatonin
Recurrence and Remission
- Recurrence: Brief recurrence in May 2020
- Current Status: No Evidence of Disease (NED) since May 2020
Lifestyle and Health Maintenance
- Diet: Heavy on salmon and salads, along with other clean meats. Limited sugar.
- Exercise: Gym 3x/week, resistance training, cardio workouts, biking, walking
- Sleep: Over 7 hours/night
- Energy Level: Feels good with plenty of energy
- BMI 25.1
- Weight:- 175 lbs
Patient’s Perspective
- Support System: Credits his wife for researching repurposed medications, diet, metabolic and other alternative therapies
- Belief: Strongly believes that diet and metabolic health are crucial for cancer survivorship
Discussion: Survival Rates and Statistics for Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer
Survival Rates
Pancreatic cancer is known for its poor prognosis, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options. The survival rates for pancreatic cancer vary significantly based on the stage at diagnosis:
Overall 5-Year Survival Rate: Approximately 12% for all stage combined
Stage 3 Survival Rates:
- 1-Year Survival Rate: Around 38%
- 3-Year Survival Rate: Approximately 10-15%
- 5-Year Survival Rate: Generally lower, around 7.2 %
Factors Influencing Survival
Several factors can impact the survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients:
- Stage at Diagnosis: Early detection significantly improves prognosis, but most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Tumor Resectability: Patients with resectable tumors have better outcomes. Up to 20% of patients with stage III pancreatic cancer may survive 5 years post-surgery.
- Treatment Regimen: The combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can extend survival, especially when complemented with innovative therapies and clinical trials.
- Patient’s Age and Overall Health: Younger patients and those maintaining good physical health and nutrition tend to have better outcomes.
- Support Systems and Lifestyle- Emotional and practical support, along with a healthy lifestyle, can positively influence recovery and survival.
Conclusion
TD’s case is remarkable given the typical prognosis for stage 3 pancreatic cancer. His comprehensive treatment plan- which included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, repurposed medications, and alternative therapies-along with a strong support system and healthy lifestyle, likely contributed to his extended survival and current remission status. This case underscores the potential benefits of a multifaceted treatment approach and the importance of personalized care in managing advanced pancreatic cancer.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9283868/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/pancreatic-cancer/survival
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pancreatic-cancer-survival-rate
- https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/rare-story-hope-pancreatic-cancer-treatment
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
- https://news.cancerconnect.com/pancreatic-cancer/stage-iii-pancreatic-cancer-overview
- https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/pancreas.html
