title: [Risks of alternative cancer treatment].
abstract: Alternative methods of cancer treatment, which are by definition unproven methods, are not generally harmless, atoxic. Severe direct side-effects are rare, but the risk of 'indirect side effects' detrimental for the patient is quite high. Examples are: lack of a potentially successful, curative treatment, provocation of guilt, anxiety, aggression. Alternative methods have to be tested according to the same principles as scientific methods with proven efficacy.
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011781:Quackery; D011788:Quality of Life; D012306:Risk
vernacular_title: Risiken alternativer Krebsbehandlung.