Alternative Treatments:
Some Are Unproven And Potentially Unsafe While various mind-body and other unconventional therapies continue to be explored as a way to prevent and treat cancer, various less credible alternative treatments have been proven to be ineffective, and in some cases, even life-threatening. Here are some of the more widely publicized treatments for cancer that are not medically proven and should be approached with caution: In evaluating potential methods of cancer treatment, the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommend that patients and their families consider the following questions: - What benefits can be expected from this therapy?
- What are the known risks associated with this therapy?
- Do the known benefits outweigh the risks?
- What side effects can be expected?
- Will the therapy interfere with conventional treatment?
- Is this therapy part of a clinical trial? If so, who is sponsoring the trial?
- Will the therapy be covered by health insurance?
Antineoplastons Antineoplastons is the name for a group of peptides (short chains of amino acids) and certain amino acids that occur naturally in the body. They are claimed to have cancer-fighting properties. Studies continue, but mainstream oncologists consider antineoplastons to be controversial and unproven. Colon Cleansing There is a legitimate use for colon cleansing as preparation for diagnostic procedures or bowel surgery. As a cancer therapy, colon cleansing involves various techniques to flush the bowel with water at different temperatures and pressures. In addition, combinations of herbs may be ingested or applied to the skin. Various health benefits have been claimed, but scientific proof is lacking. There are risks of infection or bowel perforation. DMSO This chemical solvent, which is medically approved for treatment of interstitial cystitis, has been promoted in an oral, topical or injectable form as a cancer-fighting substance. It has been studied by mainstream researchers, who found it to have no tumor-fighting effect, although it may have a role in the treatment of bladder cancer when used in combination with other drugs. Injections of DMSO can cause liver and kidney damage. Essiac Tea This tea is a combination of several herbs said to have cancer-fighting properties. While the primary herbs in the tea have been shown to have some anti-tumor activity, no independent, scientifically sound studies have shown the combination to have any anti-cancer effect. Despite the lack of evidence, Essiac products remain popular with cancer patients and are widely available. Gerson Therapy The late Max Gerson, M.D., developed a cancer therapy involving a lactovegetarian diet, juices, vitamins and additional supplements, as well as coffee enemas. A study by the National Cancer Institute concluded that it was not possible to tell if the patients' condition could be attributed to this therapy or to other treatments the patients were receiving. The coffee enemas carry a risk of caffeine toxicity, infection or bowel perforation. Hoxsey Formula Promoted by naturopath Harry Hoxsey from a formula his great grandfather developed after watching a horse recover from cancer after grazing on various herbs, this treatment consists of a tonic and some caustic external preparations applied to the skin. The effectiveness of this treatment has not been demonstrated by well-designed studies in humans, and this treatment is currently not available in the United States. Hydrazine Sulfate There is some conflicting research on the use of hydrazine sulfate for cancer treatment, but the most recent studies concluded that this treatment did not help cancer patients to live longer or feel better. In addition, there are concerns about potentially serious side effects. Hydrazine sulfate is no longer approved for use in cancer patients in the United States. Immuno-Augmentative Therapy This therapy involves daily injection of blood proteins in an attempt to combat cancer by restoring normal immune function. While the concept of treating cancer by enhancing the immune system is the basis for certain conventional cancer therapies, immuno-augmentative therapy was never proven to be safe and effective and is no longer available in the United States. Laetrile Laetrile, a synthetic form of a chemical that's found in apricot pits, apple seeds and bitter almonds, has been widely publicized in the past. A study by the National Cancer Institute found no benefits to cancer patients, and when taken in high doses, laetrile can cause cyanide poisoning. It's use is presently illegal in the United States. Live-Cell Therapy This therapy also is referred to as Metabolic Therapy, Fresh-cell Therapy and Cellular Therapy. It involves the injection of specially processed animal fetus or embryo tissue to treat cancer and other diseases. There is no scientific evidence that it is effective. People have suffered fatal immunological reactions to the treatment, and the treatment is not legally available in the United States. Macrobiotic Diet This diet is primarily vegetarian and lactose-free, with an emphasis on whole grains. While lower fat intake and increased dietary fiber may have general health benefits, there is no scientific evidence that a macrobiotic diet is effective in treating cancer. Some early versions of the diet pose the danger of severe nutritional deficiency. Megavitamin Therapy Some theories of taking large doses of certain vitamins, such as A, C and E, for cancer prevention were based on the vitamins' antioxidant activity. Specific studies have shown no consistent benefit and possible risks from high doses. Metabolic Therapy Other names for metabolic therapy are Kelley's Treatment, Gonzalez Treatment and Issel's Whole Body Therapy. These treatments are based on the theory of correcting chemical imbalances in the body believed to be caused by toxins in food and the environment. All recommend special diets combined with other treatments, such as enemas, enzyme supplements, visualization, and stress reduction exercises. No controlled studies have adequately tested these therapies. Mistletoe Mistletoe has been used for centuries to treat various medical conditions, and it remains one of the most commonly used herbs to treat cancer in Europe. Laboratory studies have suggested that extracts of the plant may have some potential to kill cancer cells and enhance immune activity, but no reliable trials in humans have proven these effects. Naessens Treatment French biologist Gaston Naessens, who now lives in Canada, developed a nitrogen-enriched solution of camphor known as 714X that is injected into patients daily for 21 days, in three rounds with a three-day rest between each. Naessens was prosecuted in France and Canada for practicing medicine without a license and for health fraud. His 714X treatment is not approved for use in the United States. Shark Cartilage Interest in treating cancer with shark cartilage was aroused by publications stating that sharks do not get cancer (later found to be untrue). Because shark cartilage contains a substance that inhibits the growth of blood vessels needed for cancer to spread, researchers at the National Cancer Institute and other institutions are conducting further studies. Research results so far do not shown any definitive benefit from shark cartilage. Zinc Some research has shown a correlation between low serum levels of zinc, or low levels of dietary zinc, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. However, no studies in humans have shown effectiveness of zinc supplementation in the prevention or treatment of cancer. High doses of zinc can cause serious side effects.
Last updated May 17, 2006
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