| Lymphoma is a tumor of the immune
system, a system which in turn communicates with all other systems of
the body. The lymphatic system is a network of nodes, vessels and organs
that provide the major defenses against microbial and viral invasion and
atypical cells that if unchecked may progress to cancer. Lymphomas
usually arise in the lymph nodes, but also in the spleen and in the
intestinal lining. Lymphoma is classified as
Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma accounts for
around 40% of the lymphomas, and is identified by cell patterns
(histology). Treatment of early stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma can result in
complete remission in 90% of the cases, with only a 10% relapse rate,
and even later stages may show a 80% remission rate with a 20% relapse
rate. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma arises in a subset of the immune cells, the
B cells, and has a good therapeutic prognosis in the early stages. In
general, conventional therapy has a good record in lymphomas and should
be the primary therapeutic choice in early stage disease.
Conventional therapy is dependent upon the clinical
staging of the disease (a four stage system -
see this link).
Radiation is the primary treatment for stage I and II lymphoma, with
chemotherapy as an adjuvant therapy for patients with a high risk of
metastasis. Chemotherapy becomes the primary therapy in stage III and IV
lymphoma, and can lead to complete remission.
Most patients come to the Immune Recovery Centers of
America following a failed conventional program, or have suffered a
relapse of the disease. Immune therapy is successful in early disease
but also offers the possibility of reversing or halting later stage
disease. Critical to our program is detecting the cause of the disease -
correcting this allows a greater chance of success.
Cancer, as with most chronic diseases, is usually
“allowed” to exist and progress due to a failure of the immune system to
perform its immune surveillance role. The initial immune failure may
have been due to a combination of several factors, such as viral attack,
heavy metal poisoning, environmental toxins among others. One factor,
often overlooked, is diet. Excessive consumption of calories,
particularly fats, increases the potential to develop prostate and other
cancers. Diet can also suppress the immune system, as can stress. These
causative factors can “punch holes” in the immune system, causing it to
fail to adequately respond when aberrant cells spontaneously arise. When
a small colony of cancer cells have become established they begin to
protect themselves with a variety of mechanisms which include further
suppression of the immune system (cancer-induced suppression), or immune
tolerance of the tumor.
The IRCs' program is primarily directed toward
correction and restoration of the immune function, which by its own
nature will begin an attack on the tumor. This program can be
supplemented by use of natural products and other agents with
anti-cancer activity. The program is an individually designed four weeks
intensive protocol which includes:
- Detoxifying the body of heavy metals and toxins.
- Reduction of the virus burden.
- Restoration of the immune system (patching the
holes).
- Contra suppression of the cancer induced mechanisms
of protection, tumor tolerance.
- Specific stimulation of the restored immune system
to elicit an immune attack on the tumor.
- Addition of natural and other agents with anti
cancer activity.
- Adjunct use of acupuncture, lymphatic massage, and
Chinese Medicine (pulse reading and herbal products).
- Restoration of metabolic function through use of
diet corrections, oral enzymes, and other natural supplements.
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