Tag Archives: cancer

Most doctors don’t get a Nutrition course?

Let me explain why:

But we get courses in the groundwork that explains nutrition: BIOCHEMISTRY

I was in medical school 20 years ago

I got my MD degree about 20 years ago, and we did have a fundamental course in nutrition but it wasn’t a heavy weight course as I remembered it, but important enough for me to feel that at least I could say that I’m one of the few doctors maybe?? that got a nutrition course.

Biochemistry is the mother of Nutrition

I know a lot of nutrition focused doctors around the world frequently quote that most doctors don’t get a nutrition course. That is probably true, however, it’s not the whole truth. Because, all doctors I know get several courses on BIOCHEMISTRY which is the MOTHER of Nutrition. Biochemistry is the groundwork for which helps us understand how our bodies work and how our bodies interact with nutrition. And there’s biochemistry of what happens when things go wrong like CANCER.  If nutrition were a course, it would be bundled into biochemistry. We all studied the biochemistry of humans, animals, bacteria, viruses, and plants. I think back when we were in medical school, I have a feeling that the very smart doctors who were in charge of our medical education probably felt that nutrition was somehow influenced too strongly by businesses and probably felt it wise to just teach us the basics of how to evaluate nutritional claims. Now that’s wiser than cramming down our throats some information that would change from time to time as we search for the truth. I believe that search swings like a pendulum around what is the truth or the “best practice.” So we’ll go from one wild extreme to the other and back and forth sometimes.

Smart doctor colleagues love biochemistry

Many smart doctors I know even have degrees in Biochemistry such as my wife, Dr. Tammy Wu – plastic surgeon, and Dr. Monica Wood – orthopedic hand surgeon.

As doctors and medical professionals, we should all embrace our biochemistry roots and apply it to nutrition

I have had a renewed interest in Nutrition and have had this interest for the past 7-8 years as I decided to transition myself to a vegan diet. But most of that interest comes from our skills in evaluating medical studies – which is a skill I was supposed to learn in medical school, and balancing that with the understanding and reviewing of the subject of biochemistry – which is the chemistry of life. I believe that my other physician colleagues in Modesto and in the world have similar interests especially as we come more and more to the conclusion that some of the best medicines come from nature. Even BOTOX comes from nature.

What is Stage 4 Colon Cancer

These are just educational notes on stage 4 colon cancer – no personalized medical advice is given here.  In my Modesto surgical experience, I have had the privilege of participating in the care of several patients with stage 4 colon cancer.  Some of these surgical patients have also become my acupuncture patients.

colon cancer diagram of stages

Colon Cancer Stages with TNM designation

Stage IV Colon Cancer

  • Cancer spread from the colon to other organs and tissues, ie. liver, lungs, peritoneum (in the abdomen surrounding), or ovaries.
  • Considered the most advanced cancer stage
  • Stage IV A: spread to one organ not near the colon, such as the liver, lung, ovary, or to a distant lymph node.
  • Stage IV B: spread to more than one organ not near the colon or into the lining of the abdominal wall (peritoneum)

Stage IVA

Any T, Any N, M1a: The cancer may or may not have grown through the wall of the colon or rectum, and it may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. It has spread to 1 distant organ (such as the liver or lung) or set of lymph nodes (M1a).

Stage IVB

Any T, Any N, M1b: The cancer may or may not have grown through the wall of the colon or rectum, and it may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. It has spread to more than 1 distant organ (such as the liver or lung) or set of lymph nodes, or it has spread to distant parts of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) (M1b).

TNM designation

T categories of colorectal cancer describe the extent of spread through the layers that form the wall of the colon and rectum.

N categories indicate whether or not the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes

M0: No distant spread is seen.

M1a: The cancer has spread to 1 distant organ or set of distant lymph nodes.

M1b: The cancer has spread to more than 1 distant organ or set of distant lymph nodes, or it has spread to distant parts of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity).

Reviewing my Personal Experience with Stage IV colon cancer

  • I’ve operated on several patients with Stave IV colon cancer
  • I’ve also done wedge resections on the liver for areas of cancer spread (metastases)
  • In some patients I’ve made diverting colostomies.
  • Some patients I’ve had receive chemotherapy before surgery to shrink down the size of the  tumor load.  The is called Neoadjuvant therapy.
  • Most of the patients after surgery with Stage 4 colon cancer have received chemo therapy after surgery – and the chemotherapy is decided up and performed by the oncologist.
  • Some get radiation afterwards to relieve symptoms
  • There are clinical trials
  • Re-operations are done for recurrences.

Web sources of info regarding the stages of Colon Cancer

Inspirational Story in Modesto, CA of Kelly with Stage IV Colon