Assessment of Outcomes at Alternative Medicine Cancer Clinics: A Feasibility Study

Richardson, Mary; Russell, Nancy; Sanders, Tina; Barrett, Robert D.; Salveson, Catherine

doi:10.1089/107555301300004501

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Corresponding 5‐year survivals were 30%, 16% and 18%. Median time from diagnosis of metastatic disease to presentation at the Center (lag time) was 8 months (20). First‐line patients had a median lag time of 3 months, second line patients of 13 months and third‐line or later patients 15 months.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer

Block¹,

Gyllenhaal²,

Tripathy³

et al. 2009

The Breast Journal

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Integrative cancer treatment is of substantial interest to many cancer patients. Research is needed to evaluate the effects of integrative treatment on patient outcomes. We report survival data for a consecutive case series of advanced metastatic breast cancer patients who received a comprehensive clinical program combining conventional treatments with nutrition and supplementation, fitness and mind-spirit instruction at the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment. Treatment outcomes using integrative care for this disease have not previously been documented; survival data will thus contribute to decisions concerning future research directions and design. Ninety consecutive patients with metastatic breast cancer diagnosed during 1984-1997 who received chemotherapy at the integrative cancer center were included. Prognostic factors, treatments and survival from onset of metastases were determined from analysis of scans, labs, pathology and medical records. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used, and a Kaplan-Meier curve was calculated. All patients had metastatic disease at baseline, 96% were relapsed and 52% had received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Median age at onset of metastasis was 46 years. Median survival was 38 months (95% CI 27,48). Published literature on populations with somewhat more favorable prognostic factors treated in conventional clinics showed median survivals of 20 to 23 months. Through the 1990s, median survival reported in metastatic breast cancer trials or observations generally ranged from 12 to 24 months. Five-year survival was 27% for Center versus 17% for comparison patients. Despite a higher proportion of younger and relapsed patients, survival of metastatic breast cancer patients at the Center was approximately double that of comparison populations and possibly even higher compared to trials published during this period. Explanations for the advantage relative to conventional treatment alone may include the nutritional, nutraceutical, exercise and psychosocial interventions, individually or in combination; self-selection of patients cannot be ruled out. Further research to evaluate the impact of integrative breast cancer treatment on survival is warranted.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer

Block¹,

Gyllenhaal²,

Tripathy³

et al. 2009

The Breast Journal

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“…However, research has shown that most patients turn to such options when the orthodox medicine is unable to offer anything more. 46 It would be worth exploring such a dietary regimen in the future and moving away from our conceptual struggle with modern high-tech medicine. We have a responsibility and a professional duty to help patients make the best treatment decisions for themselves, and the only way to do so with regard to the Gerson regimen is to carry out a prospective evaluation of its efficacy in a rigorous manner.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surviving Against All Odds: Analysis of 6 Case Studies of Patients With Cancer Who Followed the Gerson Therapy

Molassiotis

Peat²

2007

Integr Cancer Ther

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A considerable number of patients with cancer have used or are using the Gerson therapy, an alleged anticancer metabolic diet. However, there is almost no scientific support for this regimen. Hence, the present case review study of 6 patients with metastatic cancer who used the Gerson therapy aims at critically evaluating each case to derive some valid interpretations of its potential effect. All 6 cases had a cancer diagnosis with poor prognosis. Despite the presence of some confounding variables, it seems that the Gerson regimen has supported patients to some extent both physically and psychologically. More scientific attention needs to be directed to this area so that patients can practice safe and appropriate therapies that are based on evidence rather than anecdotes.

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“…Richardson et al collected prospective outcomes data from several oncology clinics that take a CAM approach to cancer therapy. 26,27 They reported on both the feasibility and challenges of conducting outcomes research of CAM therapies in cancer clinics. Pfeifer and Jonas used a PODS approach to investigate Immuno-Augmentative Therapy (IAT), a CAM therapy used by thousands of cancer patients that had not been previously evaluated in a systematic fashion for either safety or efficacy.…”

Section: Evolution and Development Of Searchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Health Care (SEaRCH): A Streamlined, Systematic, Phased Approach for Determining “What Works” in Healthcare

Jonas

Crawford

Hilton

et al. 2017

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Background: Answering the question of “what works” in healthcare can be complex and requires the careful design and sequential application of systematic methodologies. Over the last decade, the Samueli Institute has, along with multiple partners, developed a streamlined, systematic, phased approach to this process called the Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Health Care (SEaRCH™). The SEaRCH process provides an approach for rigorously, efficiently, and transparently making evidence-based decisions about healthcare claims in research and practice with minimal bias.Methods: SEaRCH uses three methods combined in a coordinated fashion to help determine what works in healthcare. The first, the Claims Assessment Profile (CAP), seeks to clarify the healthcare claim and question, and its ability to be evaluated in the context of its delivery. The second method, the Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature (REAL©), is a streamlined, systematic review process conducted to determine the quantity, quality, and strength of evidence and risk/benefit for the treatment. The third method involves the structured use of expert panels (EPs). There are several types of EPs, depending on the purpose and need. Together, these three methods—CAP, REAL, and EP—can be integrated into a strategic approach to help answer the question “what works in healthcare?” and what it means in a comprehensive way.Discussion: SEaRCH is a systematic, rigorous approach for evaluating healthcare claims of therapies, practices, programs, or products in an efficient and stepwise fashion. It provides an iterative, protocol-driven process that is customized to the intervention, consumer, and context. Multiple communities, including those involved in health service and policy, can benefit from this organized framework, assuring that evidence-based principles determine which healthcare practices with the greatest promise are used for improving the public's health and wellness.

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Assessment of Outcomes at Alternative Medicine Cancer Clinics: A Feasibility Study

Abstract: Historical, widespread use of clinics such as these with anecdotal reports of extraordinary survival merit prospective, systematic monitoring of patient outcomes. For data to be meaningful, however, disease status must be pathologically confirmed and patient follow-up improved.

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer

Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer

Surviving Against All Odds: Analysis of 6 Case Studies of Patients With Cancer Who Followed the Gerson Therapy

Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Health Care (SEaRCH): A Streamlined, Systematic, Phased Approach for Determining “What Works” in Healthcare

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