LONG-TIME SURVIVAL (48 MONTHS) IN A PATIENT WITH METASTATIC MYXOFIBROSARCOMA UNDER INTEGRATIVE CANCER CARE: SYSTEMIC THERAPY ALONG WITH MISTLETOE (VISCUM ALBUM) EXTRACTS AND HIGH-DOSE VITAMIN C – A CASE REPORT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/jecm.2023.06.07Keywords:
myxofibrosarcoma, integral oncology, viscum album, vitamin CAbstract
Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a rare cancer starting in the connective tissue and growing in arm or leg. High grade MFS spreads quickly and has a poor prognosis. Management of inoperable, advanced or metastatic sarcomas of the pelvis and extremities remains challenging with a median survival time of 12 to 24 months. Viscum album extracts (VAE) have strong immune stimulatory properties, cytotoxic effects, can downregulate cancer genes and inhibit angiogenesis. VAE are often used as an adjunct treatment in cancer patients but have rarely been investigated in MFS. High-dose intravenous vitamin C (IVC) has been used as a potent anti-cancer drug over the past decades. In addition, there is some clinical evidence for IVC’s ability to reduce chemotherapy-related side effects and to improve quality of life also in the palliative care setting. We present a case of a 59-year old man with high-grade MFS of the right buttock with pelvis bone infiltration and vertebral bone metastases (T3N0M1, stage IV). Along with the recommended chemo-radiotherapy, an integrative treatment approach was offered and he was treated with subcutaneous and intravenous VAE and IVC. The most positive (stable disease) effect was achieved on doxorubicin and liposomal doxorubicin combined with VAE and IVC. Despite disease progression, the patient showed an extraordinary long survival (48 months) and ECOG performance status 1-2 except for the last 3 months. We presume that integrative treatment approach might had an impact on this clinically relevant outcome and therefore should be further investigated in MFS.
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