The following article covers holistic treatments for kidney cancer.
Kidney cancer, also called renal cancer, is one of the most common cancers in adults. According to data compiled by the CDC, there were 17 new cases of kidney and renal pelvis cancer and three fatalities from these diseases for every 100,000 people in 2019. Renal pelvis cancer forms in the ureter or the pelvis (an area of the kidney where tubules drain to the ureter).
The cancer starts when mutated kidney cells grow uncontrollably, forming a renal cortical tumor. This tumor can grow and remain in the kidney or spread to other organs, depending on whether it’s benign or malignant. There are several types of kidney cancer categorized on the basis of where they form in the kidney or the cells they affect. The main ones are:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) – Develops in the renal tubules. It makes up 90% of all adult diagnoses.
- Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) – Occurs in children aged between 3 and 4 years.
- Urothelial carcinoma – Begins in the transitional cells that line the renal pelvis.
- Lymphoma – Characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes and both kidneys.
- Renal sarcoma – Rare type of cancer that starts in the kidney’s blood vessels or connective tissues.
Historically, kidney cancer has been treated primarily through surgery, ablation, radiation therapy, and prescription drugs. Although these treatments may effectively eliminate or check kidney tumors, they heavily tax the patient’s well-being and quality of life. For instance, the side effects of chemo and radiation therapies can prolong recovery and linger on long after successful treatment. Kidney surgery has its inherent risks, too, such as bleeding, infections, and secondary complications. And that’s where holistic medicine comes in.
Types of Holistic Treatments for Kidney Cancer
Holistic, natural, or alternative treatment is a medical approach that aims to heal the patient as a whole (body, mind, and spirit) rather than the disease itself. Various holistic techniques can be used to attack tumors (directly or indirectly) without damaging healthy cells or to complement other conventional therapies. Here are 10 such techniques:
Detoxification Quercetin IV Therapy Treatment
Quercetin is a common flavonoid found in many plants, including onions, berries, red grapes, apples, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits. It’s a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that, in the right quantities, can help reduce pain and kill cancer cells. Multiple lab and clinical studies confirm quercetin’s therapeutic potential to fight various types of cancer, including renal cancer. Quercetin also promotes detoxification, easing the effects of nephropathy.
Mistletoe IV Therapy
Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that attaches itself to woody shrubs or trees using specialized roots (haustorium), through which it draws water and nutrients from its host. Patients on mistletoe IV therapy are injected with the plant’s extract 2-3 times a week. The extract contains various therapeutic compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, lectins, and viscotoxins, with powerful anticancer effects. Numerous studies and clinical trials indicate improved survival rate and quality of life among cancer patients treated with mistletoe as a CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapy.
Curcumin IV Therapy
Curcumin is a bright yellow organic compound common in plants of the Curcuma longa species, such as turmeric and mango ginger. However, it’s impossible to absorb enough curcumin for significant therapeutic benefits from food or dietary supplements, which is why medicinal curcumin is administered intravenously. Once in the bloodstream, curcumin checks inflammation and oxidation, reducing the need for people with kidney cancer to take anti-inflammatory drugs that can exacerbate the disease.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) IV Therapy
ALA is a naturally occurring organosulfur compound essential for aerobic metabolism. It’s also therapeutically useful for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, and cytoprotective properties. Furthermore, valid scientific evidence supports ALA therapy as an effective supplementary treatment for various cancers. In one study, researchers found that lipoic acid inhibited cell proliferation in malignant tumors.
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia treatment works by exposing the patient to higher-than-normal temperatures of about 104 °F (40 °C) – 113 °F (45 °C). This can be done to the whole body using hot saunas or heated blankets; or to a specific part, organ, or tumor through a precision heat probe. Cancer cells get severely damaged by the high temperatures since they cannot dissipate heat as fast as healthy cells. The heat also stimulates natural detoxification, cellular regeneration, and enzyme action.
Hyperthermia is one of the most effective holistic treatments against cancer. Numerous scientific papers demonstrate hyperthermia’s place in clinical and supplementary cancer treatment.
Ozone Sauna
An ozone sauna is an excellent way for people with compromised kidney function to detoxify (through sweating) while encouraging the body to fight cancer at the same time. The treatment is a cross between ozone therapy and hyperthermia. During a treatment session, the body is encased in a special pod pumped with hot steam and ozone gas. The ozone percolates through the skin and into the bloodstream, lymphatic system, and underlying tissue fluid and adipose tissue. This boosts cellular oxygen levels, supercharging metabolism, antioxidation, and detoxification.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy
PEMF is a cellular exercise therapy that encourages healthy cells to expel harmful substances. Research also shows that PEMF therapy can shrink tumors and inhibit their growth. It works by a simple, non-invasive procedure where the patient is exposed to rhythmic electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic energy restores the cells’ electrical resonance, rejuvenating physiological health and functions.
Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy
Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with mainstream antineoplastic drugs. Insulin makes the cell membrane of cancer cells more permeable and therefore more susceptible to synthetic anticancer agents. This makes it possible to treat cancer with extremely low chemo doses, avoiding the harmful side effects of aggressive chemotherapy. Insulin potentiation therapy is a promising path toward targeted cancer treatments.
Dieting with Nutrition Therapy
Diet is a critical health factor, especially when it comes to nutrition-sensitive organs such as the kidney. Nutrition therapy involves professional coaching and guidance around dieting, meal plans, and eating habits that help fight cancer. Generally, foods that lower the risk of cancer can also keep the disease from spreading or enhance the effectiveness of anticancer treatments. You also want to eat foods that do not overwork the kidneys in filtering out waste and toxins.
Behavioral Therapy
The beauty of holistic treatments is that it heals the being as a whole — addressing not just the disease but the underlying root problem. To do this, doctors employ mind-body healing techniques to cater to the patient’s mental and emotional needs. Behavioral therapy is one such technique essential for those with kidney cancer. Everyday routines and activities can significantly impact cancer treatment success and general renal health. Some kidney cancer patients might need professional help to break detrimental habits such as smoking and excessive salt and alcohol consumption.
Holistic Treatments for Kidney Cancer – Conclusion
Renal cancer can indeed be treated and managed using alternative medicine. But that does not mean trying DIY home remedies. These holistic treatments are best administered by highly trained medical professionals who can carefully personalize therapies for each patient to ensure safety and effectiveness. Talk to holistic medicine experts at Brio-Medical about an alternative treatment plan for cancer or other chronic diseases.
References:
- U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. “U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualizations Tool, based on 2021 submission data (1999-2019).” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute. Released in June 2022. Accessed August 16, 2022.
- American Cancer Society. “What Is Kidney Cancer?” About Kidney Cancer. Last Revised: May 05, 2020. Accessed August 17, 2022.
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- National Cancer Institute. “Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version.” CAM for Health Professionals. Updated: May 17, 2022. Accessed August 18, 2022.
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- Crezee, Johannes et al. “Hyperthermia-Based Anticancer Treatments.” Cancers vol. 13,6 1240. 12 Mar. 2021, doi:10.3390/cancers13061240.
- Clavo, Bernardino et al. “Ozone Therapy for Tumor Oxygenation: A Pilot Study.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM vol. 1,1 (2004): 93-98. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh009.
- Vadalà, Maria et al. “Mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in oncology.” Cancer medicine vol. 5,11 (2016): 3128-3139. doi:10.1002/cam4.861.
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