After 50 years of research on cancer, the academician of oncology said frankly: cancer cannot be eliminated, do not operate easily

The 82-year-old Uncle Li has been retired for many years and enjoys family happiness every day.

Beginning in November last year, Mr. Li obviously felt weak in his limbs and loss of appetite . He thought it was because he was getting old, so he didn't take it to heart, and life continued as usual. One day in March this year, Uncle Li suddenly felt nauseous, could not eat, and vomited continuously. His family immediately took him to the hospital for treatment.

After an MRI examination, the doctor found a 7-8cm tumor in his liver, with obstructive expansion of the left and right hepatic ducts, accompanied by intrahepatic metastasis . After comprehensive examination results, Uncle Li was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.

Due to the tumor compressing the bile duct, Uncle Li developed jaundice all over his body. Considering his age and weakness, the doctor suggested conservative treatment instead of surgery . But Uncle Li still insists on surgery. In his opinion, as long as the lesion is cut off, the body can get better.

Fortunately, after the doctor's patient explanation, Uncle Li agreed to the treatment plan, and finally achieved the expected therapeutic effect by necrosis of the tumor lesions through radiotherapy (6th generation Cyber ​​Knife).

1. Academician: Cancer cannot be eliminated! Don't cut it lightly!

Tang Zhaoyou, 92 years old this year, is the first academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in clinical oncology and an internationally renowned expert in liver cancer research. He has been studying cancer for more than 50 years. Academician Tang laid the foundation for the research on small liver cancer, and turned liver cancer from an "incurable disease" to a "partially curable disease". He was the first person to propose the concept of "subclinical liver cancer" in the world.

In recent years, Academician Tang has actively promoted the popularization of cancer knowledge to the public through programs and interviews. Today, Xiao Jiu summarized two words that Academician Tang said and shared it with everyone.

1. " At the same time of treating cancer, people continue to create cancer "

Academician Tang said that cancer has now become one of the number one "health killers " for Chinese residents. Lung cancer ranks first in cancer deaths and liver cancer ranks second, and the incidence of liver cancer continues to rise worldwide.

But in modern society, there are too many carcinogenic factors, including environmental pollution, such as water pollution, food pollution and air pollution; unhealthy lifestyles, such as lack of exercise, smoking, alcoholism, etc.; decoration pollution, high incidence of chronic diseases, etc.

Academician Tang believes that cancer is impossible to eradicate, at best it can be controlled, and there will still be cancer 100 years later , because human beings are preventing and controlling cancer on the one hand, and “creating cancer” on the other hand.

2. " Surgical treatment is a double-edged sword, don't open surgery easily "

Academician Tang, who is good at liver cancer resection, has been thinking about the worldwide problem of "cancer metastasis and recurrence".

As we all know, surgery has strict indications and cannot be operated casually. Various studies have shown that conventional anti-cancer methods are a "double-edged sword", including surgery. Surgery is one of the main treatments for cancer, but when a patient misses the best surgical period, palliative tumor resection may promote the invasion and metastasis of residual cancer cells, which is counterproductive.

Academician Tang pointed out that the reason why people talk about cancer discoloration is because even after surgery, the cancer has the possibility of metastasis. Academician Tang said that it is necessary to reflect on the relationship between surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and cancer cell metastasis .

2. Note: Such tumors are not suitable for surgery

Whether the tumor can be operated or not depends on many factors, among which there are three main types of inoperable cases:

1. The cancer is at an advanced stage

Most advanced cancers have a large spread and many metastatic sites, and have become systemic diseases . Even if the primary tumor and surrounding parts are surgically removed, it is difficult to remove distant tumors with invasive and metastatic capabilities.

At this time, even if the operation is reluctantly performed, the patient will not benefit from it. Unless the tumor is controlled and transformed into a resectable state after systemic chemotherapy, or there are special metastatic lesions, surgery will be considered.

2. Non-solid tumors or systemic tumors

For example, malignant lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, glioma, etc., do not have solid lesions or are too widely distributed to be treated by surgery.

3. The age and constitution of cancer patients are not suitable

Cancer surgery is not only traumatic, but also affects immunity. Because of the aging stage of organ function and physical state, elderly patients may not be able to bear the burden of surgery and require strict evaluation. In addition, if the patient has cachexia, severe anemia, dehydration, severe malnutrition, etc., it is not suitable for surgery.

Surgical treatment of cancer needs to consider all aspects. If the risk cannot be reduced and the conditions are not mature, it cannot be performed reluctantly.

3. 3 simple ways to reduce the risk of cancer in the elderly by 61%

Recently, a Swiss research team published a clinical randomized controlled trial study in five countries in the geriatric journal Frontiers in Aging .

Trial results show that combining 3 simple methods can help prevent invasive cancers in people over 70 with a 61% lower risk .

The three methods and their mechanisms are:

1. Daily intake of 2000IU of vitamin D : regulate cell proliferation and differentiation;

2. Consuming 1 gram of omega-3s per day : reduces inflammation levels and induces ferroptosis in acidic cancer cells;

3. Simple strength exercises : Reduce inflammation levels and boost immunity. Simple strength exercises include 5:

①Sit down - stand up (quadriceps and hip extension strength training)

② Standing on one leg (hip muscle training and static balance training)

③Sit and pull back resistance training

④ Rotate the outside of the shoulders in the sitting position to resist elastic resistance

⑤ Stepping training

The researchers, while the sample size of this trial was not large enough (2157 participants) and time span (average follow-up time of 3 years), it showed that the combined use of multiple cancer prevention approaches has an additive effect in reducing cancer burden is statistically significant.

Cancer is diverse and complex. Treatment needs to comprehensively consider the patient’s condition and various factors. Under the current circumstances, prevention is more important than treatment . We should develop good eating habits, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and exercise properly every day to reduce the risk. to the minimum.

References:

[1] Zhang Jianfeng. Academician Tang Zhaoyou: Human beings continue to create cancer, and if they do not converge, cancer will be cured more and more. Netease Technology, 2020-05-21

[2] Cancer cannot be eliminated! Academician who has studied cancer for 50 years advises people not to operate lightly! .Health Times, 2019-04-14

[3]Bischoff-Ferrari HA， Willett WC， Manson JE， et al. Combined vitamin D， omega-3 fatty acids， and a simple home exercise program may reduce cancer risk among active adults aged 70 and older： A randomized clinical trial. Front Aging. Published online April 25， 2022. doi：10.3389/fragi.2022.852643

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