Greek Cancer Cure

Greek Cancer Cure

Other common name(s): METBAL(r), Cellbal (r)

Scientific/medical name(s): None

Description

This treatment consists of a blood test reportedly used to diagnose cancer, and intravenous therapy designed to cure the disease. The injections are said to contain a combination of organic substances such as sugars, vitamins, amino acids, and other ingredients.

Overview

There is no scientific evidence that the Greek Cancer Cure is effective in preventing or treating cancer.

How is it promoted for use?

Practitioners of the Greek Cancer Cure claim the regular use of a special intravenous injection (which they refer to as a serum) boosts the patient's immune system, enabling it to fight and destroy tumor cells. The inventor of the Greek Cancer Cure claimed to have cured a high percentage of patients who had cancers of the skin, bone, uterus, stomach, and lymph system.

What does it involve?

The first stage of the Greek Cancer Cure is a blood test that is claimed to determine the nature, location, and seriousness of a patient's tumor. The second stage involves daily intra-venous injections of the serum. Treatment lasts from 6 to 30 days. The secret formula is believed to consist of brown sugar, nicotinic acid (also known as niacin or vitamin B3), vitamin C, and alanine, an amino acid (see Amino Acids, Vitamin B Complex, and Vitamin C). An oral supplement is also available.

Patients are also advised to limit their intake of salts and acids, limit physical activities, and avoid drugs such as aspirin and laxatives. They are also asked to stop chemotherapy or radiation therapy before beginning the treatment program.

What is the history behind it?

The Greek Cancer Cure was developed in Athens, Greece during the 1970s by microbiologist Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos, MD. Dr. Alivizatos was investigated by Greek regulatory officials several times. At one point he lost his license to practice medicine because he failed to submit a sample of his serum to the government for testing. His license was reinstated after he finally agreed, but the Greek government could not establish the serum's effectiveness against cancer and ordered him to stop giving it to patients.

In 1983, Dr. Alivizatos again lost his license, this time for two years, following an investigation by the Hellenic Medical Association. He resumed treating patients after the suspension expired.

On several occasions, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute asked Dr. Alivizatos to provide scientific documentation or information regarding his treatment, but all requests went unanswered. Throughout his career, Dr. Alivizatos closely guarded the details of his blood test and refused to share information with fellow cancer researchers. In 1979, a surgeon from Seattle traveled to Greece, posed as a cancer patient and underwent treatment by Dr. Alivizatos. He returned with samples of the serum. An analysis conducted at the University of Washington revealed that the formula contained only nicotinic acid and water. Dr. Alivizatos died in 1991. Today, his treatment is reportedly offered in Greece, Poland, and some clinics in North America.

What is the evidence?

There is no scientific evidence that the Greek Cancer Cure has any effect on cancer. No studies have shown that either the blood tests or the injections used in the Greek Cancer Cure result in any measurable benefit in the treatment of people with cancer.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

The safety of this treatment has not been proven. The intravenous serum can contain levels of nicotinic acid high enough to cause burning at the injection site. Relying on this type of treatment alone, and avoiding conventional medical care, may have serious health consequences.

References

American Cancer Society. Unproven Methods of Cancer Management. Greek Cancer Cure. CA Cancer J Clin. 1990;40:368-371.

Barrett S. Alivazatos Greek Cancer Cure. Quackwatch Web site. Available at http://www.quackwatch.com. Accessed May 10, 2000.

British Columbia Cancer Agency. Unconventional therapies: Greek cancer cure. British Columbia Cancer Agency Web site. Available http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/uctm/13.html. Accessed May 10, 2000.

Cancer Facts. Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos Greek Cancer Cure. National Institutes of Health Web site. Available at: http://rex.nci.nih.gov/INFO_CANCER/Cancer_facts/Section9/FS9_2.html. Accessed May 10, 2000.

Note: This information was reprinted from the American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Methods. Copyright(c)2000, American Cancer Society. This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions, is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who is familiar with your medical needs.