The Effects of High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Patients

Problem: Currently used standard treatments (Chemotherapy, radiation) in cancer patients are generally accompanied with side effects, which may include pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) during and after completion of treatments. High dose IV C may improve the anti-cancer action of chemotherapeutic agents by reducing side effects of fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting and boosting immune cell functioning, and inhibiting angiogenesis (Mikirova, Casciari, & Hunninghake, 2019).The purpose of this quality improvement project was to explore whether high dose intravenous vitamin C (IV C) prevented major side effects that frequently occur with standard treatments in cancer patients and measure quality of life. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cohort study utilizing a retrospective medical record review. A Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of IV C in cancer patients. Results: A total number of twenty (N=20) charts of participants who received IV C therapy for different types of cancer were reviewed. There were fourteen females (N=14, 70%) and six males (N=6, 30%) who underwent the therapy. Seven (N=7, 35%) of the patients received IV C/Traditional and thirteen (N=13, 65%) received IV C only. None of the participants reported any side/adverse effects to IV C and all reported improved quality of life. Implications: There were little to no side/adverse effects noted to this study, therefore IV C could be an appropriate alternative or adjunct therapy to treat cancer patients. Monitoring these patients for a longer period of time may yield more beneficial results and improved quality of life