I have been treating challenging stage-4 cancer patients using an immunometabolic approach for 32 years. In that period of time, I have seen these eight signs and symptoms often show up in people who are less able to achieve remission:

1.   Moderate-to-severe cachexia (weight loss, muscle loss, lack of appetite, fatigue, and decreased strength)

2.   Moderate-to-severe ascites (fluid in the abdomen) or pleural effusion (fluid between the lungs and chest wall)

3.   Uncontrollable pain and/or nausea

4.   Markedly elevated iron in the blood (ferritin >300)

5.   Markedly elevated inflammatory markers (hs-CRP >3, homocysteine >16, fibrinogen >500)

6.   Severe anemia (hemoglobin <8)

7.   Hypoalbuminemia (blood albumin level below the reference range)

8.   Low heart-rate variability

Having any of the above signs and symptoms does not preclude me from treating a patient, but it does make my job more difficult. Bottom line, if you have been diagnosed with cancer, please do not wait until you develop any of these signs and symptoms. Be sure to check out all your treatment options with your oncologist along with a local integrative/functional-medicine doctor. The best outcomes are usually obtained when you combine (integrate) the best of Western medicine with the best of alternative medicine.

Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS
NewHopeForCancer.com
VictoriousOverCancer.com