Actor Michael Douglas appearing Tuesday night on David Letterman's “Late Show” announced to fans and viewers alike he has been diagnosed with stage four throat cancer. The actor states he is currently undergoing treatments for the cancer and healthcare practitioners state he has an 80% chance of survival.
The actor had made an appearance on the late night talk show in efforts to promote his new films release, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleep”.
Stage four means the cancer has spread to tissues around the lip and mouth. The lymph nodes possibly can or cannot contain the cancer or the cancer which can be any size has spread to either one or more lymph node on the same side of the neck to lymph nodes on either one or both sides of the neck or to any lymph node which can measure over two inches.
Allen Berry, press agent for the actor stated he is being treated at Manhattan's Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Mr. Berry stated to ABCNews.com, that the tumor is at the base of the actors tongue and his doctors diagnosis is for a complete recovery.
In his interview with Letterman the actor stated his diagnosis came early summer, he had been having a sore throat which endured and he had consulted several physicians. When it was inquired as to the severity the actor simply replied “"I am above the neck, so nothing's gone down", and that "the expectations are good".
The actor had admitted to Letterman he use to be a drinker and smoker. According to reports from the New York Times this particular cancer is brought about from drinking and smoking.
Recently this year, Mr. Douglas had appealed to a judge that had pronounced sentencing on the actor's son Cameron to the term of five years in prison due to drug dealing. He had asked the judge to employ compassion due to the fact there use to be a history of drug and alcohol abuse in the family and he himself had gone through treatment for alcohol abuse in the 1990's.
The actor has related he currently has finished the first week of an eight week chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. He has described the treatments as “very intense”.
Asides from the fact of announcing the tumor is at stage four, does not wish to reveal what type of throat cancer it is, leaving the world to contemplate.
Throat cancer also referred to as pharyngeal cancer is an extensive term referring to an assortment of cancers which develop in the tissues of the pharynx, which is the tube that begins behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe(trachea) and esophagus. Air and food move through pharynx to the trachea or esophagus.
Providing that the cancer began at the tumor located at the base of his tongue, then it is likely Mr. Douglas has orophyaryngeal cancer. This opinion has come from two head and neck medical experts conferred from WebMD.
Cancer of the oropharnyx (orophyaryngeal cancer) is located in the mid part of the pharynx, behind the mouth including the back of one third of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate and the side along with the back walls of the throat.
Nearly all of these type of cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are thin and flat cancer cells which line the inside of the oropharnyx.
The US National Cancer Institute information states that the risk factors for orophyaryngeal cancer include smoking, chewing tobacco, extreme alcohol use, diets which are low in fruits and vegetables and being infected by the human papilloniavirus (HPV), which is the most usual sexually transmitted virus seen in the United States. A minimum of half the sexually active persons in the United States will obtain genital HPV at some point in their lives.
Influences relating to chances of recovery most often rely upon the stage and grade of the cancer, where tumor is located and if it is linked to HPV infection along with the persons overall health.
A different expert of head and neck cancer had relayed to ABCNews.com, that it is pertinent to know if the cancer was HPV linked, due to the fact this type does react well to chemo and radiotherapy and have a favorable diagnosis.
According to Dr. Kevin Cullen, director of University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, the types linked with smoking and drinking respond satisfactory just not as good.
Dr. Cullen states the survival rates for throat cancer associated with smoking and drinking are about fifty to sixty percent and below however, those with associated HPV related cancers are beyond the eighty percent marker.
Current estimations indicate that 12,720 men and women with throat cancer and that 3,600 will perish from this disease. Conventional treatments consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Side effects of these treatments can include earaches, jaw stiffness, nausea, lack of appetite affecting the bodies nutrition, joint pain, fatigue, loss of balance and swelling of the feet of lower legs. Many persons seek out alternative treatments to help aide with the side effects of treatments. Keep in mind there are no alternative treatments that will rid throat, head or neck cancer. Conventional treatments must be pursued. However, alternative treatments to aide in the side effects which occur from chemo or radiation treatments do benefit patients.
Some alternative treatments to help ease the side effects.
There are a great number of plant substances which develop some strong medicines. Since these are organic in nature they are compatible to the human body. They are gentle in their working approach and offer very few toxic side effects. Cancer patients may not be able to consume enough food to provide their body with the proper nutrition required to help aide in things such as strength, metabolism and recovery. Therefore, nutritional supplements offer an alternative to aide with the ability to provide proper nutrition. Please note that some vitamins, supplements and even other alternative treatments can be useful while others may produce no effect at all. There is a small chance that certain herbs, minerals or supplements can harm the body. Therefore your alternative practitioner must be aware of all and any conventional treatments you are undergoing and be able to consult with your primary care physician during their treatment regime.
Your naturopathic practitioner will help guide you to make the proper choices from the list of options which are available geared to your personal needs. They will observe the process of you being treated with the supplement and vitamins to make sure they are working appropriately. Not to mention your safety from any possible drug to herb or drug to nutrient reactions which can happen.
If you find it difficult to swallow pills a lot of the supplements and herbs come in liquid form. A few that may be recommend are slippery elm bark which can be dissolved in liquid. It aides in swallowing by coating the throat and stomach. Other herbs can be licorice, white bark and eucalyptus.
Chinese Medicine
The herbs used in Chinese medicine provide relief from symptoms due to chemo or radiation treatments, to help boost immune system and aide in reduction of the size of tumor. Some of the herbs which may be used consist of Oldenlandia and Selaginaella which when used in conjunction with chemo or radiation therapy it has shown to speed up remission.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture used with moxibustion treatment which is a type of fire heat treatment which activates particular acupuncture points of the body. It is most often used in patients with breast, head, neck or throat cancer.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment can aide in reduction of the pain and suffering associated with the cancer along with improving the patients overall health. It is inexpensive and effective treatment. Their treatments can aide in life quality regardless of the stage the cancer is in. The treatments could include manipulations, soft tissue techniques and physio-therapeutic modalities such as exercise, particular manipulations and tens.
Alternative practitioners in or around Detroit area:
Alternative Health Wellness Institute
1575 Cherboneau Place
Detroit
313-567-0718
Holistic Health Solutions
453 MLK Jr. Boulevard
Detroit
248-663-2386
Henry Ford Medical Center for Integrative Medicine
40000 West Eight Mile Road
Northville
248-380-6201
Detroit Community Acupuncture
4100 Woodward
Detroit
313-831-3222
Mr. Roy Liu (acupuncture, Chinese medicine, herbal)
23700 Orchard Lake Road Suite K
Farmington Hills
248-504-4989
A & L Chiropractic Center
24281 Middlebelt Road
Middlebelt Corners
Farmington Hills
248-477-3977
Innate Chiropractic
18700 Woodward Avenue
Detroit
313-366-2247
Comments
I already past cancer with my dad about 10 years ago, and we found alternative terapy which is called Breuse terapy. You can google it . I wish to help everyone and I realy beleave in it.
You know we have many people battling cancer right now. Not only celebrities...I am a nurse and we need to pray for all not one. God Bless you all
Thursday, September 2, 2010 5:30 P.M.
Bishop Walter Dixon's of Atlanta, GA Official Press Release Prayer for Hollywood Icon Actor Michael Douglas for healing of throat cancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4XsiU...
My Dear Brother in "Christ" Michael Douglas
I have been lead by the "Holy Spirit" to write this prayer on your behalf and I trust this prayer will bring you one step closer to "Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" and that you will say this prayer each night before going to bed.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. (John 3:16, 17).
Therefore having been justified by faith, I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also I have obtained my introduction by faith into this grace in which I stand; and I exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but I also exult in my tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within my heart through the Holy Spirit who was given to me (Romans 5:1-5).
I'm afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise me also with Jesus and will present my mind, body and most important, my soul with him.
Therefore I do not lose heart, but through my inner flesh is decaying yet my inner soul is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for me an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while I look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporally, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2.Corinthians 4:8,9,14 16-18).
As I lay this fragile body down for healing in the hand of my Lord Jesus Christ may he be near me to defend me, within me to refresh me, around me to preserve me, before me to guide me, behind me to justify me, above me to bless me. I will lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Ghost for all the remaining days of my life.
Our Father, be gracious to your child and our brother Michael Douglas, O God, according to Thy loving kindness and According to the greatness of Thy compassion. He asked for your help, Father he maybe perplexed and maybe afraid. God if it is your will give this child extended years while he is on earth through your "Grace".
Father I know you are the doctor of doctors and you have the final say on my life. Father I give my hand to thee for your healing and peace. This I ask in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
May God Be With You
Bishop Walter Dixon
bishopwldixon@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 832161
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Ps. I have posted a live video copy of this prayer in your honor on Google, Face Book, MySpace, Twitter and Youtube.com. for others to join in prayer for you and your family.
I like this article, sharing the details of Michael Douglas' type of cancer and alternative treatments that can support his traditional treatments. May God be with him.
The above sentences: "Keep in mind there are no alternative treatments that will rid throat, head or neck cancer. Conventional treatments must be pursued." can not be further from the truth!
Debbie, the lack of knowledge you show in your article is just unbelievable! Why don't you talk to educated people who had been CURED from different types of cancer with alternative treatments, like Suzanne Somers? Or get informed with alternative health consultants like Burton Goldberg!
What about Hyperthermia combined with low dose radiation (FDA approved since 1884) that not only is twice more effective than ANY conventional cancer treatments, but has very little or no side effects?
My suggestion to you Debbie and the readers is to do a MINIMUM of search in Google, and look for alternative neck/throat cancer treatments. You will be surprised of the number of very successful ones; and many of them are in the US.
Today was the first of three days of the Cancer Control Society annual convention in Universal City, Los Angeles area. You should go there and see for your self. Even doctors from Germany come to this very well known and prestigious convention, and attended by a large number of informed cancer treatment seekers.
Sorry my passion! I do not mean to be rude. My son was diagnosed with an auto immune condition at the age of three, caused by excessive vaccinations. After 6 months of seeing no progress with conventional medicine, in the children's Hospital of UCLA, my wife and I decided to take an alternative route. His condition that on conventional medicine standards last until kids affected by this condition (nephrotic syndrome) was successfully resolved using several alternatives medicine treatments in 6 MONTHS! No more damaging steroids fro my now healthy and happy boy!
;-)
I think Michael Douglas' spirits are good and in the right place. It does seem to me that something alternative, like the Hyperthermia therapy would be so much better. Because Michael Douglas is right, this is only the First round of treatments, with this conventional therapy it's just going to get more and more destructive. With all the creativity and resources that celebrities have you would think they would go outside the box and seek out a treatment that is more kind to the body, like hyperthermia. What a shame.
Hmmm... I still don't know how alternative treatments have been kept silent from the greater public for so long, although with conventional treatments, it is actually the treatment itself that kills the patient. Maybe because they are called alternative. As far as I am concerned, the best success rates in head and neck cancer have been found by using hyperthermia with low dose radiation. I hope Mr Douglas gives it a try, as 8 weeks of full radiation sounds really threatening to his life. My prayers are with you Michael.
My husband has just completed treatment for seemingly the same cancer as Mr. Douglas. The treatment was extremely intense and requires every grain of strength from the patient as well as those support people (ie. family and friends). My heart goes out to the Douglas family .... it is very tough but they will get thru it. My husband, a professional photographer of 30 years, has kept a daily blog about his experience that may prove helpful to others in the same situation. Visit www.killc.wordpress.com to read/see his entries.
Hi Michael / Catherine, my name is Jaime, I live in Brazil. My telephone: (55) (84) 3202-2646 and 9104-2703. I just got a cure for cancer. Used beyond eight rounds of chemotherapy, AUTO HEMOTHERAPY and hazelnuts (see website: www.avelos.com.br). Surely you will have fewer side effects and treatment success may lead you to healing. Believe that I can help you, because I know many people who got rid of the cancer.
Do you want to fully recover and be rid of this disease? You can. My wife and I have prayed and believed for many, and they had the will and the faith. Healing is for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Christ Jesus suffered on the cross and died so we would not have to. He took stripes on his back. You can be and will be healed. My wife and I would pray for you and you will be healed in the name of Jesus if you will alllow us to. This is just a personal your wife and you and us situation. The laying on of hands and annointing is best because the word says to lay hands on and you will recover. I totally believe because I have all ready seen it happen quite a few times in the last year. If you have the faith and really want to stop suffering, there is a way, guarenteed! The doctors and many others will tell you no because they do not believe nor do they want to. I know people take medicines and there is a reason for doctors, it is in the bible also, but if you want healed and want to live, then get in contact with us quietly. I will check internet on this site but I need to get ahold of you. Thank you for your time. God Bless!
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