Gastric cancer

While gastric cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, the mortality rate is still high. This is due to the late presentation of many patients who may already be in the advanced stages of the disease. There are no early ‘warning’ signs of gastric cancer. When symptoms do appear it is usually a sign that the condition has already fully developed. Symptoms include indigestion, vomiting, loss of appetite, black faeces, and pale skin. Gastric cancer development is thought to be influenced by both genetics and environment. Smoking and certain diets are related to increased risk of developing gastric cancer.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Pau D'Arco (Lapachol, Tabebuia Impetiginosa, Tabebuia Heptaphylla) [1, 11]:

Please note, this treatment has potentially serious side effects. Some of the chemicals in the plant are known to be toxic. High doses are known to cause liver and kidney. Even at low doses, chemicals in the plant may interfere with blood clotting, causing excess bleeding and anaemia. Pau D'Arco should be avoided, especially by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Pau D'arco helps to treat ulcers. This, combined with its potentially harmful side effects if taken without supervision from a doctor or pharmacist gives enough reason to avoid this treatment.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Mistletoe (Iscador, Viscum Album) [1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. WARNING: The mistletoe plant should NOT be eaten because it is poisonous. May cause seizures, coma and death. It should only be taken as a purified mistletoe extract, and only in recommended doses.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Studies on the effect of Mistletoe on Gastric Cancer have yielded mixed, conflicting results. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

Licorice (Glcyrhiz Gaba) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Licorice has been shown to have potentially harmful side effects in people with high blood pressure, liver or kidney diseases)

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Small studies and laboratory tests show that Licorice may help reduce tumor growth in gastric cancer, but more research is needed)

Grade of Evidence: low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary References

Treatments:

1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. Winston, David; Steven Maimes (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press.

3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15190039

4. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/licoriceroot/

5. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-licorice.html

6. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/mistletoe

7. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/mistletoe/ataglance.htm

8. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002883.htm

9. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mistle40.html

10. http://www.bmj.com/content/333/7582/1293.full?ijkey=56e55886cc53e0c478801e74001edc3bea1c322e&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

11. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pau-d-arco