Is laser therapy considered "Alternative"?

discoclub

Here is an actual slide show presentation to the ACS in the spring of 2003.
Dr. Dowlat is likely one of the world's experts on the use of lasers in oncology. I warn you this PDF file is VERY long and is filled with detailed information and images. It takes a while to DL, but well worth the time.

http://www.facs.org/spring_meeting/2003/gs06dowlat.pdf

here is another Breast Cancer Abstract: (Human) 1999 USA. Dr. Harms is also one of the world's great laser oncology pioneers.

http://cds.ismrm.org/ismrm-1999/PDF2/362.pdf

discoclub · Last edited by discoclub on Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

Just to round things out a bit more... Here is an abstract utilizing low power laser to treat Prostate cancer (Human) 1995 USA

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3577497

discoclub

JFK,

Although not the technology that I primarily research, here is an article about HIFU being used to treat Breast Cancer. China (Human) 2007

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114211214/ABSTRACT

discoclub

Ok, so now you can see for yourself that the research has been done. The treatments work and they repeatedly work. I would argue that these treatments show more promise than anything else in Oncology... At least for the patients... maybe not for the Cancer industry as a whole?

Let's look at this more closely.

Number One: A Diode laser. This is so very simple. a 2Watt diode laser consists of very few parts. These few parts are readily available. To build a Diode laser, one simply gets a Fiber-Coupled laser module and attaches power to it.

Here is a picture of a 2Watt Fiber Coupled Diode module:
http://www.jdsu.com/index.cfm?productid=619&pagepath=Products/Commercial_Lasers/Products/Diode_Lasers&id=2008

This component sells for as much as $1500 or as little as $50 in quantity.

A Lab grade powersupply to supply power to the diode can be purchased for around $100 Add to that a case.. some wire and a few electronic components.. and one can build this device very easily for under $1000.

The disposable portion, the actual fiberoptic cables cost around $50 each. These of course are in sealed sterilized pouches Certified for OR use.

So, there you have it... A Cancer killing Diode laser device capable of KILLING tumors in minutes that is scientifically PROVEN by multiple studies worldwide that costs next to nothing to create or operate.

JFK · Regular Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 10

Hey discoclub thanks for the link.
This laser therapy does seem interesting.

I am wondering who you are directing this therapy to be practiced by, being that this machine seems that it would be home made.
if it were a untrained person I shudder at what damage they could do to someone body if the missed the mark, so to speak.

I could see a semi skilled person using this on lumps that you could feel, but anything more then that should be done by a trained surgeon.

brainman

JFK, I too have similar concerns. However, not very many people could use the needle to penetrate deeper cancers. I do not think the regulatory organizations would allow just anyone to use a laser even on a skin cancer. So that eases my mind somewhat.

It does look like a promising new therapy... it just needs more testing to verify the results.

This is an alternative therapy that does seem to hold the promise of someday becoming a mainline therapy. Thank you discoclub.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

discoclub

Great questions,

Yes, at this time there are few of these lasers available in the USA. There are a few companies providing this package for around $12K, and the fibers are generally under $50 each, Needles are only pennies.

There are two schools of thought regarding Lasers in oncology. The big BUCK Hospital based systems cost upwards of a $million to design install and maintain. Of course these systems have rigorous FDA certs, Engineering staffsand require large areas to house the units etc. Along with this of course there are specific protocols, IE, they are mostly used in Large OR theatres by highly trained specialists. You could liken the experience and cost to that of Major heart surgery.
Of course with all this overhead... Patients must pay out the Kazoo, so to speak to cover the hospitals costs. Not only huge costs, but also complex time consuming protocols are usually involved so that the actual time a laser can even be used is severely limited. This huge time resource may actually lessen the actual patient time with the laser to the point that only three or four patients can actually be treated in a given day. Thus the already expensive laser cost is divided among a smaller number of patients increasing the per patient er treatment costs astronomically.

However, Research has shown that these huge complex systems are simply not required to KILL cancers. A simple Diode laser can create a significant output to kill cancer cells. IT may do it a bit slower, but it still gets the job done. In fact several studies show that the SLOWER a tumor is heated, the more effective the overall treatment is. So an inexpensive laser could be used for a longer period of time and yet achieve the final result of KILLING a tumor. Usually this requires only one treatment also.

discoclub

Safety Issues.

These Diode lasers are inherently safe. In fact the most relevant safety issue is not accidentally pointing the fiber towards an eye and burning a retina. Anyone capable of training for a biopsy should have enough ability to learn how to handle a simple fiber. Of, course for additional safety, everyone within eyesight of any laser device should be wearing laser safe safety goggles to protect their eyes.

Here is why I make this statement. I have actually held thes lasers in my own hands. I have used them to burn myself slightly. I even used one to burn through a small wart on my finger.

The sensation is approximately the same as placing a lit cigarette against one's skin. The focal point of the laser is rather imprecise. From these types of fibers the laser energy emitted is approximately 2mm in diameter. The tissue that is within the circle and an apex of approx 2mm from the tip is subject to intense heat. tissue that is more than approx 5mm from the tip is subject to less focused energy and at about 3cm from the tip, the energy is about as focused as a penlight.

Thus, the misconception that a laser could "burn a hole" through your body is grossly false. There ARE lasers that are capable of doing so.. And a surgeon will use these lasers as scalpels or laser knives. You have heard horror stories of such accidents as bowel perforation and even aortic damage during laser procedures. Remember that thse are HIGH powered lasers and not the miniscule diode lasers Discussed in this thread.

Other safety issues are of course the standard issues involved with maintaining a sterile field. The fiberoptic cables are autoclavable and disposable, needles of course are sterilized and disposable, any instruments required of course would have basic sterile field protocols.

discoclub

Who am I directing this info to?

I am hoping that some persons here have an interest in biology, engineering, physiology or other combination interests please contact me if so.

I placed this info in the ALternative thread, as I believe that the alternative clinics can capitalize on this information and push ahead of the cancer industry. MAybe nt in the USA, but possibly in Mexico or other less controlled countries.

As far as treatment, since only basic sterile field procedures are required to reach MOST tumors, I propose that many clinicians will be capable of learning the basic requirements for this therapy. While modern medicine is practiced in the USA in stately medical facilities which gleam of Stainless Steel, much of the world practices medicine in far less beautiful conditions. Think back to the days of the Korean and VietNam Wars, Much lifesaving work was carried out in MASH units which were little more than moble buildings. The success rate of those primitive units was nearly equivalent to the success rates of the most modern hospitals with todays technology.

Therefore I propose that these treatments could be done in facilities that are in between these two extremes. i have seen third world clinics that with a few hundred dollars could be brought to a standard where these procedures could be brought into practice.

Primarily a clean room with autoclave (or disposable) instruments, disposable sterile drapes, and sterilizable (Ceramic tile) interiors should be an adequate sterile theatre in which to do these minimally invasive procedures.

In my personal opinion the average veterinarian's clinic is more than adequate for these simple procedures.

Of course my opinion holds primarily for near surface easily reached/felt tumors. For deeper tumors which require laporoscopic procedures then of course, the ultimate sterile protocols and areas should be exercised. I am afterall a fanatic... I am not a lunatic.

So, I hope to see in the near future several of the "alternative" clinics along the MExico borders to embrace this technology and begin KILLING cancer, rather than "Fighting" cancer.

discoclub

My own cancer is located where I cannot reach it myself, or it would ALREADY be DEAD! (Rectal, 8 cm from verge) So, I am passing this information in the hopes that someone knows someone who may be interested in developing this therapy.

Thios therapy is proven worldwide, safe, inexpensive and relatively easy to learn the procedures for.

I have a report (unconfirmed, unfortunately) That basically states that the Chinese goverment has been doing these treatments for over four years now in RURAL china. The report says that the Chinese government has established small satellite "Clinics" (think MASH units) throughout rural Chinese provinces to primarily treat breast cancer using low power diode based fiber-coupled lasers. The report goes on to say that the women come to the clinic and usually stay for only one day. They receive treatment and often leave the same day with only mild analgesics for moderate skin pain. But, they leave CANCER FREE!

If Rural China can do this... I propose that other countries can also.

I will offer myself to any clinician who wants further information. I can even design, build and test this laser concept in the presence of any clinician that is interested in doing the basic research and further proving the protocols. I will even FUND the operation of a clinic that is interested in this therapy ( As long as it gets used on me!).

brainman

In the USA it would still be called practicing medicine without a license or worse if something should go wrong with the procedure.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

discoclub

Very true, unless an actual physician were to utilize the prcedure under a FDA IRB. There are a few surgeons utilizing these and similar procedures, but they are few. And I have tried to contact the ones who do to no avail.

This is why i posted this info in the Alternative thread. I am hoping to make a connection with someone in the alternative world possibly one of the Mexican border clinics.

discoclub

This link is to a small study on cervical cancer. (Human) China

1989http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/23/2300806.pdf

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