Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, the part of the body that fights infection. There are are a number of different types of lymphoma, the most common of which is called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma may include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, coughing and tiredness. MayoClinic.com notes that treatment for lymphoma may depend on how aggressive the cancer is, but may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a stem cell transplant. Melatonin might also play a role in the treatment of lymphoma by helping to destroy lymphoma cells, although evidence to prove this is limited. Talk to your doctor before taking melatonin supplements.
Properties and Uses
Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and helps regulate sleeping and waking. A synthetic form is also available as a supplement, and might play a role in the treatment of several conditions, including migraine, dementia, epilepsy in children, cluster headaches and insomnia. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that it is also sometimes incorporated into conventional anti-cancer treatment and may help to improve quality-of-life and may also help to reduce treatment-related side effects.
Lymphoma Research
The results of a laboratory study published in the November 2005 issue of the "Journal of Pineal Research" found that melatonin induces lymphoma cell death. Although clinical trials evaluating the effects of melatonin on lymphoma are limited, the results of a case study of a patient with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma published in the "American Journal of Therapeutics" in January 2007 show that administering melatonin alongside a combination of anti-cancer drugs helped the patient to achieve complete remission 18 months after starting treatment.
Administration
Melatonin is available in capsules and tablets from most health food stores and drugstores. Guidance regarding a suitable dose to support lymphoma treatment is lacking, and appropriate doses may vary among individuals. Ask your oncologist doctor for advice on how to incorporate it into your cancer treatment program.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that clinical evidence suggests that taking up to 10 mg of melatonin daily for up to 28 days may be safe, but adds that longer term used may not be. Furthermore, the harmful effects of hormone supplements can take years to manifest. Melatonin supplements are contraindicated in several medical conditions including depression, schizophrenia and diabetes. It may also have an anticoagulant effect and, therefore, might not be suitable for individuals with a bleeding disorder or those taking blood thinning medicines.
References
- MedlinePlus: Lymphoma
- Mayoclinic.com: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; January 2010
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Melatonin; June 2011
- "Journal of Pineal Research"; Melatonin Provokes Cell Death in Human B-Lymphoma Cells by Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway Activation; O. Truiani, et al.; November 2005
- "American Journal of Therapeutics"; Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at Advanced Stage: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Retinoids, and Melatonin; M. Todisco; January 2007
