Mistletoe in conventional oncological practice: exemplary cases

Integr Cancer Ther. 2008 Sep;7(3):162-71. doi: 10.1177/1534735408319894.

Abstract

Mistletoe therapy, a cancer treatment suggested by Rudolf Steiner in 1920, is a typical and specific anthroposophic therapy, but could become more important today in the field of mainstream medicine. This article analyzes some of the most typical effects of mistletoe therapy based on the experience of more than 100 cases. A few patients were chosen who appear exemplary of the opportunities offered by mistletoe therapy. Their clinical history demonstrates an improvement in clinical condition and performance status, better quality of life, improved psychological status, reduction of infective events, better tolerance of concomitant chemoradiotherapy, and even a direct reduction of tumor size. The conclusion is that the patients may be indicative for future prospective clinical studies designed to confirm a real efficacy of mistletoe in cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anthroposophy / history
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / history
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Phytotherapy* / history
  • Plant Extracts / history
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Quality of Life
  • Viscum album / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts