Integrative oncology along with systemic cancer therapies in advanced bladder and prostate cancer: metabolic optimization guiding the shift from palliative care to clinical remission - a case report.

内容摘要

Bladder cancer, particularly in older adults, poses significant therapeutic challenges due to its high recurrence rates, metastatic potential, and the toxicity associated with standard treatments. This case report describes a 75-year-old male with advanced muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, exhibiting metastases to the prostate and lymph nodes. Following intolerance to conventional palliative chemotherapy, the patient underwent a structured integrative oncology protocol (systemic cancer therapies combined with adjuvant complementary therapies) that combined metabolic therapies, oncothermia, high-dose intravenous vitamin C, targeted nutraceutical supplementation, acupuncture, laser therapy, diet therapy, and yoga-based interventions. After initial metabolic optimization, an oral chemotherapy regimen comprising Afatinib, Axitinib, Relugolix, and Abiraterone was initiated. The patient demonstrated excellent tolerance to treatment, significant symptomatic relief, normalization of cancer-related biomarkers, and marked metabolic response with stable residual metabolic activity on PET-CT within six months. Quality of life measures improved substantially, and prognostic indices, including the Chuang Survival Score, reflected enhanced survival potential. This report underscores the potential of systemic cancer therapies along with integrative oncology to improve clinical outcomes, mitigate treatment-related toxicity, and enhance quality of life in advanced bladder cancer. While the findings are encouraging, they warrant validation through larger, controlled studies to better define the role of integrative approaches within the contemporary oncology framework.