Why is the NK cells evaluation test so important for cancer patients?

The NK cell test of cancer patients usually shows severe NK cell deficiency. Post-chemotherapy and or radiotherapy patients frequently have 5% or less NK cell function.  

Natural killer cells (NK cells) are the body's defenders against malignant cells. Unfortunately, most cancer patients do not undergo NK cell evaluation testing. NK cell testing is even more important when chemotherapy or ratiation is the treatment. Both, chemotherapy and radiation, usually produce a severe depletion of the immune system, and in most cases, a total destruction of the NK cells. These therapies are  usually given disregarding the most important immune factor in a cancer patient (the NK cells).

Most doctors would simply run a CBC (complete blood count) hemogram of the patient to determine if the patient will stand chemotherapy or radiation treatment. That does not make any sense, since besides red blood cells and platelets, a CBC would only reveal a simple, generalized count of white blood cells which for example, is good to determine a patient's level of defense against bacterial infection. But, a CBC does not reveal information on the levels of NK cells (the patient's own immunity mechanism against malignant cells). Therefore truthfully, when using chemotherapy, radiation, or any other treatment that have the potential to further damage the body's ability to fight cancer cells,  without first evaluating the patient's level of NK cells, it is not known whether the treatment is actually benefiting or further harming the patient. 

The NK cell test reveals information about the body's own defense against cancer cells, and it is essential not only in knowing whether the patient would stand chemotherapy and or radiation, but also in knowing whether the patient will truly benefit from such toxic treatments. If the patient has low NK cells levels, the patient should also undergo immunotherapy to support the immune system, either prior or concurrent to receiving chemotherapy and or radiation treatments. The information obtained from the evaluation of NK cells, not only allows chemotherapy or radiation treatment to be given more safely and effectively, but it can also help in avoiding metastasis and recurrence.  

Sadly as it may sound, oncologists sometimes disregard the importance of the NK cells evaluation test in a cancer patient. And some of them do not even understand or value its clinical use.

Western medical oncology has been so focused on giving chemotherapy and radiation, that with some exceptions, most providers are not aware of basic facts such as protecting the NK cells and the possibilities of using other treatments like immunotherapy. Even worse, some doctors give misleading information if the patient ask for other alternatives or adjuvant therapies to their proposed treatment. 

There are some conventional (Western Medicine) drugs designed to support the immune system of cancer patients, but in reality, those treatment lag far behind the effectiveness and safety of using professional herbal formulas from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).    

However slow, the tendency to learn and use herbal medicine in a professional way such as in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is improving within the Western medical community, as more and more research institutions are increasing their interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other alternatives. For example, the international conference of SIO, the Society for Integrative Oncology, is now supported by Institutions such as Memorial Sloan-Ketering Cancer Center; Dana Farber Cancer  Institute; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology; and many others.    

As exposed above, the specific NK cells evaluation test is important, since a common CBC (complete blood count) hemogram would not reveal information about the body's own defense against cancer cells.

The flow cytometry that allows NK cells differentiation and evaluation is considered an advanced test, and it is presently available only at a few laboratories in the United States. Fortunately this test is available to our patients at the laboratory of a hospital in Miami.  I want to schedule an NK cells evaluation test;

Immuno SG;is a powerful herbal medicine specifically formulated to boost the body's production of NK cells and NK cells activity. TCM Pharmacy;