Unconventional therapies for cancer: 3. Iscador

Abstract

This article, on Iscador, is third in the series that reviews the evidence for the safety and effectiveness of 6 unconventional therapies commonly used by Canadian cancer patients. The purpose and methodology of the review of these therapies appear in part 1 (CMAJ 1998[7]:897-902). Annotated bibliographies providing more detailed references are available in print from the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI; address appears at end of article). The reference lists and the lay summaries of the findings (published in 1997) can be found on the CBCRI’s Web site (www.breast.cancer.ca). The following article adapts the lay summary of information on Iscador for clinicians and provides references for the key findings. [Copies of this and other articles in the series can be found on CMAJ’s Web site (www.cma.ca/cmaj/series/therapy.htm).]