Dr. Chen and Dr. Mark Gignac Recognized

Published:  01/14/2019

Metronomic chemotherapy is the use of lower doses of chemotherapy than normal but on a more frequent (hyperfractionated) schedule. Its efficacy was first proposed by the great cancer scientist, Judah Folkman, in the 1990s as part of an anti-angiogenic strategy. Dr. Nick Chen*, the leading medical oncologist, at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, makes a persuasive case that by giving drugs metronomically (in conjunction with naturopathic post-care) he can get exceptional results in a number of different cancers. In 2008, he presented a poster at a cancer conference in Hawaii that showed remarkable results in non-small cell lung cancer. This work definitely needs to be reproduced, but it is promising. Nick Chen impressed me greatly with his intelligence and experience. Several of our clients have gone to him since then and some have had really exceptional results. This was a fitting end to a very memorable clinic tour.

Nick Chen is the rare medical oncologist who recognizes the importance of nutritional, mental and emotional health in cancer. He works closely with the two naturopaths at SCTWC, Mark Gignac**, ND, FABNO and Paul Reilly, ND, LAc, FABNO. Nick is not only board certified in oncology but has a PhD in immunology from the University of Iowa. He completed hematology fellowships at University Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and Shanghai Medical University in China.

Dr. Chen completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and a fellowship in medical oncology at Moffitt Cancer Treatment Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, one of the top cancer centers in the nation. He joined CTCW in 2002. His focus in on innovative treatments for difficult-to treat cancers, such as lung cancer, metastatic melanoma, brain cancer, and relapsed lymphoma.

When it comes to integrative oncology, “I have seen the future, and it works.” Naturopathy functions in Oregon and Washington as a fully accepted and integrated part of medical care (including cancer care) in these states. As a resident of a part of the country where naturopathy is not even licensed, I cast envious eyes on the Pacific Northwest, whose residents have far greater options when it comes to the varieties of treatment they can access. I think those who fear the sky will fall if they license naturopathy should study how well it works in states such as Oregon and Washington, where naturopathy has been accepted since the1920s. *Dr. Nick Chen is now the Medical Director for Seattle Integrative Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. **Dr. Mark Gignac is now the resident naturopath at Seattle Integrative Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington.