H2 gas therapy shrinks metastatic gallbladder cancerScientific Research

Hydrogen therapy in advanced gallbladder cancer

Hydrogen therapy has helped reduce the size of gallbladder cancer in a patient with advanced disease. This discovery is the result of a medical study in which doctors tried a new method of treating cancer.

The treatment was part of a study approved by the ethics committee of Fuda Cancer Hospital at Jinan University. The patient is a 72-year-old woman with gallbladder cancer that has spread to other areas such as the liver, lymph nodes and the head of the pancreas. Previously, her cancer had progressed even though she had undergone surgery and chemotherapy.

Doctors used a special mask to inhale hydrogen, which she inhaled for several hours each day. This method was chosen after other treatments failed to effectively control the spread of the cancer. Hydrogen therapy was initiated to try an innovative approach in a controlled and safe manner.

Initially the results were not promising. One month after hydrogen therapy was administered, the patient’s condition showed no significant improvement and she experienced complications such as impaired bowel patency. However, the treatment was continued and after three months significant changes were observed.

The size of the metastases in her abdominal cavity decreased, her severe anemia corrected, and her blood protein levels normalized. In addition, the number of lymphocytes in her blood, which are critical for immune function, is normalizing, and tumor markers, indicators of the presence and progression of cancer, are decreasing significantly. After hydrogen therapy, the patient’s quality of life improved. She was even able to return to her normal daily activities.

Hydrogen Therapy – an alternative for patients facing critical conditions

This is the first report of a study of the efficacy and safety of hydrogen therapy in a patient with metastatic gallbladder cancer and critical general condition who remained stable for more than 4 months. The therapy demonstrated the potential not only to reduce tumor size, but also to correct other serious health problems associated with metastatic cancer.

Although more extensive research with a larger group of patients is needed to fully establish the effectiveness of hydrogen therapy, this case provides evidence that it may be a useful alternative for patients facing similar critical conditions. The successful outcome in this case provides hope and a basis for further research into hydrogen as a potential therapeutic agent in oncology.


The Original Article:

original title: Hydrogen gas therapy induced shrinkage of metastatic gallbladder cancer: A case report

DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i15.2065

Published on: 2019


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Abstract:

Background: We present the case of a 72-year-old female patient with gallbladder cancer (GBC) who developed in situ recurrence and liver metastases 9 mo after irreversible electroporation ablation and oral tegafur (a fluoropyrimidine derivative) chemotherapy, which failed to control the progression of the disease. The patient further developed metastases in the lymph nodes around the head of the pancreas. The patient had severe anemia, requiring weekly blood transfusions. The gallbladder tumor invaded the descending part of the duodenum, causing intestinal leakage and hepatic colonic adhesion. Case summary: The patient refused other treatments and began daily hydrogen inhalation therapy. After 1 mo of treatment, the gallbladder and liver tumors continued to progress, and intestinal obstruction occurred. After continuous hydrogen therapy and symptomatic treatments including gastrointestinal decompression and intravenous nutrition support, the intestinal obstruction was gradually relieved. Three months after hydrogen therapy, the metastases in the abdominal cavity gradually reduced in size, her anemia and hypoalbuminemia were corrected, lymphocyte and tumor marker levels returned to normal, and the patient was able to resume normal life.

Conclusion: This is the first report of an efficacy and safety study about hydrogen therapy in patient with metastatic GBC and a critical general condition, who has remained stable for more than 4 months.

Authors:

Duan-Ming Du, Feng Mu, Ji-Bing Chen, Ke-Cheng Xu, Wei Qian, Yang-Yang Ma, Zhong-Bao Pan

Original Publication
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