24
November 2010: Updated: 9.12.2011
United Nations
Arts Initiative
Arts Integration Into Education
Url: www.unarts.org
Twitter: unarts
Never Give Up: Cancer Journal
& Resources
Url: www.unevergiveup.org
H:II - Stephen
Michael Apatow - Cancer Treatment Ends
In early August, Country Music Association Artist Stephen Michael
Apatow [1] received the the devastating news, a differential diagnosis
of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. According to the American
Cancer Society, there are between 47,000 and 50,000 new cases of head
and neck cancer each year. [2] The challenge encompassed a life
transforming process of reflection and analysis, with engagement of
medical experts across the globe, to help attack the problem with an
objective for eradication of the disease and
restoration of overall health.
As founder of the nonprofit organization Humanitarian Resource
Institute and the United Nations Arts Initiative, Stephen's role in
humanitarian operations and policy development are embraced under his
title of Director of Research and Development of the Humanitarian
University Consortium Graduate Studies Center for Medicine, Veterinary
Medicine and Law. [3] In the fields of Sports Medicine &
Exercise Physiology, he is best known for his work as Director of
Research and Development of the Sports Medicine & Science
Institute. [4]
The Neck Dissection
Following the differential diagnosis came an array of tests, biopsies
and related diagnostics. The initial differential diagnosis and
biopsy was made by tumor specialist, Dr. Ronald Hirokawa in Milford,
Connecticut. Within one week, full body CAT and PET scans were
scheduled, leading to a fast track appointment with Dr. Clarence
Sasaki, Section Chief, Otolaryngology at Yale Medicine School and the
Yale Cancer Center. That same morning, after a short review of
the pathology results, a treatment course was outlined, accepted and
facilitated the immediate engagement of his specialized medical team.
Following the morning appointment with Dr. Sasaki, the ENT Nurse
Coordinator for the team walked us down to the Radiation Oncology
department for a meeting/examination
by Dr. Yung H. Son, Director of Therapeutic Radiology and Surgery
(Otolaryngology),
Chief , Section of Invasive Therapeutic Radiology. After examination of
the tumor, Dr. Son outlined an action plan to utilize brachytherapy [5]
or the placement of radioactive palladium seeds to facilitate
eradication
of the primary tumor. The procedure would be completed in
conjunction
with the deep neck dissection, removal of nodes and tissue samples
associated
with cervical spread, for pathology and staging of the cancer.
Dr. Son emphasized that the objective of the team was
to incorporate the most effective treatment approaches, minimizing the
use of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, to facilitate containment
and eradication of the disease. He repeatedly emphasized the goal
to minimize the potential
damage that could result from over treatment, that reaches beyond the
needs
of the patient, potentially causing more destructive damage than the
cancer
itself.
On September 6th, surgery was scheduled, lymph nodes removed and
brachytherapy initiated. Upon release from the hospital, the
rehabilitation/treatment phase began, with a optimized nutrition,
exercise and adjunctive therapies regimen [5, 6,7,8,9] from day one,
with notes on the program recorded into the Never Give Up:
Cancer Journal Log on Facebook. [10]
Chemotherapy/Radiation
Following
the neck dissection and initiation of brachytherapy, came the next
phase of chemotherapy and radiation
therapy. The member of the oncology team that directed this
treatment
was Dr. Hari Deshpondi, Associate Professor of Head and Neck Cancer,
Sarcoma,
Genitourinary specialization. The post surgery pathology results
identified
three nodes associated with spread, with extracapsular growth, a
finding
that warranted the addition of chemotherapy to the radiation treatment
schedule.
As an music artist, composer, author and publisher, concerns were
presented regarding potential neurological and auditory side effects
associated with the use of the first line chemotherapy drug and
appropriately targeted a less aggressive chemotherapy drug named
Carboplatin. [11] Following initiation of chemotherapy, Stephen
was able to remain minimally symptomatic (only minor post surgical
challenges) for approximately 3 weeks. This state of health
facilitated the capacity to record and produce the soundtrack "The
American Way." See: Top40 Charts - Nominate "The American Way"
2010 Country Music Song of the Year. [12]
Approximately 4 weeks into combined chemo/radiation, a significant
inflammatory challenge occurred in the radiation treatment fields.
This challenge was met with an immediate response by the Sasaki
team to stabilize the condition, control inflammation and pain,
allowing radiation treatments to progress through the last session that
was completed on 23 November 2010. Progress during this time
encompassed limited restoration of salivary gland function, taste and
ability to transition from a liquid to a soft foods diet, with an
overall discomfort level at 1-2 on a scale of 10.
In conjunction, with the Cancer treatment program at Yale, Stephen
opened an international academic dialogue on the topic of "Tumor
Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy" as a standard of care in conjunction
with with advanced diagnostics and treatment. See: Top40
Charts - H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow Pushes New Standard Of Care For
Cancer Treatment. [13]
On 18 November 2010, Stephen announced the formal release of the
album "Country Goes Global," through CD Baby for International
Distribution. The project, four years in the
development, that focuses on "Sharing a message of hope and inspiration
with a world in need." [14]
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References:
1. H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow: Founder of Humanitarian Resource
Institute and the United Nations Arts Initiative. Url: http://www.apatow.org
2. Understanding Head and Neck Cancers: Guest Expert: Hari Deshpande,
MD, Assistant Professor, Medical Oncology, Clarence Sasaki, MD,
Professor and Section Chief, Otolaryngology. Yale Cancer Center
Answers, Connecticut Public Radio, 25 October 2009. Url: http://www.unarts.org/nevergiveup/ref/Oct2509-Drs-deshpande-and-sasaki-1.pdf
3. Pathobiologics International - The Consulting Arm of Humanitarian
Resource Institute and the Humanitarian University Consortium. Url: http://www.pathobiologics.org/groundzero.html
4. Sports Medicine & Science Institute: A program of the
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies Center for Medicine
and Veterinary Medicine. Url: http://www.esportsmedicine.org
5. Head and Neck Brachytherapy Program: Yale School of Medicine.
Url: http://radonc.yale.edu/clinical_people/brachytherapy.aspx
6. Infrared Sauna: Far Infrared Studies. Url: http://www.unarts.org/nevergiveup/ref/far_infrared.html
7. Experimental L-Glutamine Agent Shown Effective in Oral Mucositis:
The
Journal of Supportive Oncology. Url: http://www.supportiveoncology.net/journal/articles/0306414.pdf
Note: Utilized L Glutamine in all fluids for hydration, from the
start of combined chemo/radiation therapy.
8. Guaifenesin: PubMED Health. Url: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000696
9. Oral mucositis prevention by low-level laser therapy in head and
neck cancer patients submitted to concurrent chemoradiation: A
prospective randomized study. J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl;
abstr 6019) Url: http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=65&abstractID=31765
10. Low level laser therapy: Wickpedia. Url: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_level_laser_therapy
11. HRI/UNArts Never Give Up: Cancer Journal & Resources. Url: www.unarts.org/nevergiveup
12. Carboplatin: A Platinum Based Chemotherapy Agent. Url: http://www.carboplatin.org
13. Top40 Charts - Nominate "The American Way" 2010 Country Music Song
of the Year: Top40 Charts/Humanitarian Resource Institute, 13 November
2010. Url: http://www.unarts.org/news/aiie_top40charts1132010.html
14. Top40 Charts - H-II: Stephen Michael Apatow Pushes New Standard Of
Care For Cancer Treatment: Top40 Charts/Humanitarian Resource
Institute, 9 November 2010. Url: http://www.unarts.org/news/aiie_top40charts1192010.html
15. Top40 Charts - H-II Album Release - Country Goes Global - CD
Baby International Distribution: Top40 Charts/Humanitarian
Resource Institute, 20 November 2010. Url: http://www.unarts.org/news/aiie_top40charts11202010.html
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