Unable to tolerate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, cell therapy offers you a second choice

In October 2021, Mr. Zhao presented with "dysphagia upon eating and discomfort in the right chest". Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed early-stage carcinoma (T1) in the mid-esophagus. On November 2, he underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of the esophagus. Postoperative pathology showed high-grade epithelial neoplasia, with focal malignant transformation into moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, accompanied by involvement of the esophageal glandular ducts. The gross tumor type was Type 0-IIb, with a total (microscopic) lesion size of 3.3x3cm, including a squamous cell carcinoma lesion size of 3.3x1.3cm. The histological type of the deepest infiltrating cancer tissue was moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and the infiltration pattern was INFb.

Due to the extensive tumor involvement and deep infiltration, Mr. Zhao decided to undergo further surgical resection and clearance. On December 23, he underwent robot-assisted partial esophagectomy, esophagogastric cervical anastomosis, lymph node dissection, and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve dissection. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was found in the lymph nodes (4/37), without involvement outside the lymph node capsule.

Mr. Zhao has undergone two surgical traumas and is now elderly, making it difficult for him to bear the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After comprehensive consideration with his family, he decided to forgo postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To achieve a good prognosis, Mr. Zhao has been seeking alternative treatment methods to prevent recurrence and metastasis. He learned that Professor Zhang Minghui's vNKT cell therapy is highly suitable for his current needs. Compared to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, vNKT cell therapy has fewer side effects and belongs to systemic treatment with a long-lasting immune tail effect, allowing patients to achieve a higher quality of life.

After systematic evaluation by the team, the second consultation advice from Lehe New Medical is given as follows:

1. Mr. Zhao's pathological type is squamous cell carcinoma.  Compared to other types of esophageal cancer (mainly adenocarcinoma), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has a poorer long-term survival rate. Currently, radical resection of the esophagus is the main method for treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but the prognosis is still unsatisfactory [2].

2. Due to the extensive tumor involvement and deep infiltration, Mr. Zhao underwent radical surgery again, and pathology has shown lymph node metastasis.  Without undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there is a high risk of recurrence and metastasis.

3. After reducing tumor burden through surgery, timely intervention with vNKT cell therapy can clear residual cancer cells and rapidly enhance the body's immune system.

4. Treating cancer begins with treating the mind. Combined with Lehe's comprehensive rehabilitation methods, establish a positive mindset, change unhealthy eating habits, and gradually return to normal life.

Mr. Zhao started vNKT cell therapy in March 2022. The first-stage treatment plan: one course per month, and he has completed 10 courses so far. Up to now, he has been in a stable condition for two and a half years.

Given Mr. Zhao's condition, which involves lymph node metastasis and a poor pathological type, the risk of recurrence and metastasis is extremely high. If there is recurrence or metastasis, it will lead to endless chemotherapy and radiotherapy, causing the immune system to collapse and the tumor to become uncontrollable. Under the treatment of vNKT cells combined with Lehe's comprehensive rehabilitation program, Mr. Zhao's condition has stabilized without recurrence. He is energetic, his body's resistance has increased, the frequency of colds has decreased compared to before, and he is gradually returning to normal social life.

For most cancer patients, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are important methods in cancer treatment. Treatment plans need to be tailored to the actual situation of the patient, with the goal of maintaining overall stability in the patient's body. Not only should attention be paid to tumor removal, but also to comprehensive measures such as diet, exercise, lifestyle habits, and emotional state, to ensure an enhanced immune system and the ability to fight cancer cells for a long time.

Reference Sources:

[1] Wang Shaoming, Zheng Rongshou, Han Bingfeng, et al. Analysis of the Age Characteristics of Incidence and Mortality of Malignant Tumors in the Chinese Population in 2022 [J]. China Cancer, 2024, 33(03):165-174.

[2] [5] Xia Lingling, Wang Jing, Fan Xiangli, et al Treatment efficacy, survival status, and prognostic factors of patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [J]. Journal of Wuhan University (Medical Edition), 2023, 44(10): 1204-1208.

Edited/typeset by: Zhao Runtuan

Medically reviewed by: Wang Ying