title: Tumour response following high-dose intratumoural application of Viscum album on a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma.
abstract: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare type of cancer that typically originates in the salivary glands. Surgical removal can lead to functional loss and psychological distress. Viscum album extract (VAE) is a herbal remedy with dose-dependent cytotoxic, apoptogenic and immunological effects. In some case reports, tumour regression has been observed following high-dose local applications of VAE. An active 88-year-old man with fast-growing ACC of the hard palate refused surgical removal and received high-dose intratumoural injections of VAE (alone) over a 10-month period. The tumour decreased in size, softened and loosened from its surroundings. A biopsy during the course showed inflammation. The patient remained well and without functional limitations during the therapy and follow-up period (5 months). VAE produced no reported side effects. This aged patient exemplifies a satisfying course of ACC under VAE resulting in good quality of life and partial tumour regression.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the University of Witten/Herdecke, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul Georg
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Werthmann
authors.affiliation: Medical Practice for General Medicine, Koblenz, Germany.
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Helling
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Chair of Theory of Medicine, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heusser
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the University of Witten/Herdecke, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunver Sophia
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kienle
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D021362:Palate, Hard; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D028182:Viscum album
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
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