High-Dose Vitamin C Benefits and Side Effects Topic Guide

High-dose vitamin C may be taken by mouth or given by an intravenous (IV) infusion (through a vein into the bloodstream). When taken by IV infusion, vitamin C can reach higher levels in the blood than when the same amount is taken by mouth. Some studies of IV high-dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have shown improved quality of life, as well as fewer side effects.

Bladder cancer originates within the bladder, and may have several different causes, including smoking, workplace chemical exposures, diet, and the herb Aristolochia fangchi. Though there are several types of bladder cancer, cancer is most likey to develop in the interior lining of the bladder. Treatment includes a variety of options, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biological therapy.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in women. Symptoms and signs of breast cancer include breast lumps, nipple discharge or inversion, or changes in the breast's skin. Treatment typically involves some type of surgery and depends upon the staging of the cancer, the tumor type, and the person's health.

Breast cancer is staged 0 through IV, with IV being the most severe. Treatment is based on the individual woman and how her cancer responds. Therapies include chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy and surgery.

Cancer fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Moreover, fatigue can be a symptom of cancer. The fatigue experienced with cancer is different than fatigue experienced by healthy people. People describe it as feeling worn out, heavy, slow, weak, extremely tired, and in pain. In some people, fatigue can last up to a year or more after treatment stops. Doctors do not know exactly how cancer treatments cause fatigue, but they do know what causes it in people who have cancer, or who are undergoing cancer treatment, for example: Chemotherapy Biologic therapy Surgery Radiation Therapy Other cancer drugs Drugs that cause drowsiness Anemia Side effects from diet Loss of appetite Not getting enough nutrients and calories daily Insomnia Hormone fluctuations Respiratory problems Pain Dehydration due to severe vomiting or diarrhea Changes in metabolism Weight loss Loss of muscle strength Lack of physical activity Other health problems Anxiety and depression Stress Fatigue from surgery generally gets better with time, however, it can worsen if surgery is combined with other cancer treatments.Doctors have studied patients with breast and prostate cancer who suffer from fatigue and found that the amount of fatigue experienced, and the time it was felt, varied from patient to patient.Women with breast cancer reported that fatigue was increased by: Having other health problems or advanced cancer Being a younger age Being underweight Problems sleeping Anxiety Depression Having children at home Working while receiving radiation treatment Men with prostate cancer reported that fatigue  increased before radiation therapy started due to depression and/or poor sleep. Talk with your doctor or other health care professional about how to treat and manage your cancer-related fatigue. REFERENCES: Bower, JE, Ph.D. Cancer-related fatigue: Mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct; 11(10): 597–609. Published online 2014 Aug 12. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.127. Bower, JE, Ph.D. Behavioral symptoms in breast cancer patients and survivors: Fatigue, insomnia, depression, and cognitive disturbance. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Feb 10; 26(5): 768–777. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.14.3248 NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Fatigue (PDQ®)-Patient Version. Updated: June 30, 2017. NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment." Updated: May 2014. IH. National Cancer Institute. "Fatigue." Updated: Apr 29, 2015. NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects." April 2010.

Cancer is a common and deadly disease, and it's surrounded by myths. There are certain basics a patient needs to know when they're confronted with a cancer diagnosis; everything from clinical facts and practices to learning how to navigate the health insurance bureaucracy.

Pancreatic cancer is rare, but it is possible to treat it with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Still, success rates for any treatment are under 30 percent.

Liver cancer is hard to diagnose as symptoms and signs are vague and nonspecific. Symptoms and signs may include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, or appetite loss. Treatment may incorporate surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Ovarian cancer occurs when tumors in the female reproductive organs, the ovaries, grow out of control. Doctors aren't sure what causes ovarian cancer, but heredity plays a role. Symptoms include: Pelvic pain or pressure, Pain with intercourse, Abdominal swelling and bloating, Urinary frequency, Constipation, Ascites (collection of fluid in the abdomen), Loss of appetite, Feeling full after eating little, Gas and/or diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting, and Abnormalities in menstruation. Treatment may include surgery followed by chemotherapy.