My fiancee's uncle, here in Thailand, had just been diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. He's a dam_n nice guy, too.

I read in the news recently that papaya leaf has been used in traditional medicine for a long time, but now scientists have recognized it's "dramatic" effects for cancer treatment.

That was their word.......DRAMATIC. I won't try to buy it......We'll boil up some leaves

Anyone here have any other suggestions for advanced stomach cancer ?

I have a lot of recommendations but perhaps not of the type you are looking for.

This man's condition is almost certainly terminal, with or without any herbal "miracle" drug. Try it if you want, but don't waste a lot of money on it and don't push him to take it if it is unpleasant tasting etc.

His children should have a frank discussion with him about his preferences in terms of undergoing surgery (if the doctors have recommended it) other measures such as chemotherapy/radiation, life support, dying in a hospital vs dying at home etc.

Surgery may prolong his life by some months or even years or but even with maximally aggressive approach only 15% of people survive 5 years. Most don't go much beyond 1-2. If he does want to try for a surgical cure (or remission) the surgery should be done as soon as possible.

There are also surgeries that can be done for palliative purposes, to relieve the pain and vomiting that will otherwise results as the tumor blocks the gastric outlet. This can be as simple as insertion of a tube through the abdomen ti drain out the fluid that would otherwise accumulate and cause vomiting or as complex as removal of the whole stomach tying the esophagus directly to the intestine.

He needs a doctor who will discuss options with him frankly and honestly and let him make an informed choice. These are not so easy to come by in Thailand but they do exist.

Make sure he gets adequate pain management, which may necessitate a visit to a pain specialist.

My fiancee's uncle, here in Thailand, had just been diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. He's a dam_n nice guy, too.

I read in the news recently that papaya leaf has been used in traditional medicine for a long time, but now scientists have recognized it's "dramatic" effects for cancer treatment.

That was their word.......DRAMATIC.

Thanks for posting this.

I believe this is the AP press release http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world...00310-pwd6.html and this the actual study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19961915

The two comprehensible comments for mere laymen like me were:

'There have been anecdotes of patients with advanced cancers achieving remission following consumption of tea extract made from CP leaves.' (I assume this is what motivated the study)

'RESULTS: We observed significant growth inhibitory activity of the CP extract on tumor cell lines'

and

'our results suggest that the CP leaf extract may potentially provide the means for the treatment and prevention of selected human diseases such as cancer, various allergic disorders, and may also serve as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy.'

The key word being 'potentially'.

I decided to try this and took 5 papaya leaves and chopped them up like cabbage. Put them in 2 litres of boiling water, then reduced it down by half and drank the liquid over the course of the day. Have to say I've tasted better but it's tolerable or can be sweetened. I also took the stems, since they are said to contain digestive enzymes and boiled them too.

I've added it to my domestic armoury of herbal remedies.