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The gerson therapy success rate. Gerson Therapy for Melanoma: Impressive 5-Year Survival Rates in Retrospective Study

What are the 5-year survival rates for melanoma patients treated with Gerson therapy. How does Gerson therapy compare to conventional treatments for different melanoma stages. What does the retrospective study reveal about Gerson therapy’s effectiveness for melanoma. How might Gerson therapy impact melanoma survival rates across various stages.

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Understanding Gerson Therapy: A Dietary Approach to Melanoma Treatment

Gerson therapy is a dietary approach to treating cancer that has gained attention for its potential impact on survival rates. This alternative treatment, developed by Dr. Max Gerson, focuses on a specific diet and detoxification methods. The therapy involves a strict lactovegetarian diet, low in sodium, fat, and protein, while being high in potassium, fluids, and nutrients. Patients consume hourly raw vegetable and fruit juices as part of the regimen.

Key components of Gerson therapy include:

  • A lactovegetarian diet
  • Low sodium, fat, and temporary protein restriction
  • High potassium intake
  • Increased fluid consumption
  • Hourly raw vegetable and fruit juices
  • Thyroid supplementation to increase metabolism
  • Limited calorie supply (2600-3200 calories per day)
  • Coffee enemas as needed for pain management and appetite stimulation

The Retrospective Study: Examining Gerson Therapy’s Efficacy

A retrospective study conducted by the Gerson Research Organization in San Diego, California, aimed to compare the five-year survival rates of melanoma patients treated with Gerson therapy to those reported in medical literature. The study focused on white adult patients aged 25-72 years with superficial spreading and nodular melanoma.

Can Gerson therapy improve melanoma survival rates. The study’s results suggest it might. Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing research.

Study Design and Patient Population

The retrospective study included 153 white adult patients with melanoma, treated at a hospital in Tijuana, Mexico. Researchers analyzed the five-year survival rates of these patients based on their stage at admission.

Impressive Survival Rates: Breaking Down the Results by Stage

The study’s findings revealed remarkably high survival rates across various stages of melanoma when compared to conventional treatments. Here’s a breakdown of the results:

Stage I and II (Localized) Melanoma

How effective is Gerson therapy for early-stage melanoma. The results are striking:

  • Gerson therapy: 100% survival rate (14 patients)
  • Conventional treatment: 79% survival rate (15,798 patients, reported by Balch)

Stage IIIA (Regionally Metastasized) Melanoma

Does Gerson therapy show promise for stage IIIA melanoma. The data suggests a significant improvement:

  • Gerson therapy: 82% survival rate (17 patients)
  • Conventional treatment: 39% survival rate (103 patients, Fachklinik Hornheide)

Combined Stages IIIA + IIIB (Regionally Metastasized) Melanoma

How does Gerson therapy fare for more advanced regional metastasis. The results remain impressive:

  • Gerson therapy: 70% survival rate (33 patients)
  • Conventional treatment: 41% survival rate (134 patients, Fachklinik Hornheide)

A New Stage Division: Introducing IVA and IVB

The researchers proposed a new stage division for advanced melanoma:

  • Stage IVA: Distant lymph, skin, and subcutaneous tissue metastases
  • Stage IVB: Visceral metastases

This new classification allows for a more nuanced analysis of survival rates in advanced cases.

Stage IVA Melanoma Results

Can Gerson therapy improve outcomes for stage IVA melanoma. The study suggests a notable difference:

  • Gerson therapy: 39% survival rate (18 patients)
  • Conventional treatment: 6% survival rate (194 patients, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group)

It’s important to note that the survival impact was not assessed for stage IVB melanoma in this study.

Gender Differences in Survival Rates

Do men and women respond differently to Gerson therapy for melanoma. The study revealed some interesting patterns:

  • Stages I-IIIB: Identical survival rates for males and females
  • Stage IVA: Women showed a strong survival advantage compared to men

This gender disparity in advanced stages warrants further investigation to understand the underlying factors.

Comparing Gerson Therapy to Conventional Treatments

How do the survival rates of Gerson therapy stack up against conventional melanoma treatments. The study’s results suggest a significant advantage for Gerson therapy across multiple stages:

Melanoma StageGerson Therapy Survival RateConventional Treatment Survival Rate
Stage I and II100%79%
Stage IIIA82%39%
Stage IIIA + IIIB70%41%
Stage IVA39%6%

These results suggest that Gerson therapy may offer significant survival benefits across various stages of melanoma, particularly in more advanced cases.

Limitations and Considerations of the Study

While the results of this retrospective study are impressive, it’s important to consider potential limitations:

  • Small sample size: The study included only 153 patients, which is relatively small compared to larger clinical trials.
  • Retrospective design: As a retrospective study, it may be subject to certain biases and limitations inherent to this type of research.
  • Single-center study: The research was conducted at one hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, which may limit its generalizability.
  • Lack of randomization: Patients were not randomly assigned to treatment groups, which could introduce selection bias.
  • Potential confounding factors: The study does not account for other factors that might have influenced survival rates, such as overall health status or concurrent treatments.

Despite these limitations, the significant difference in survival rates warrants further investigation into the potential benefits of Gerson therapy for melanoma patients.

Implications for Melanoma Treatment and Future Research

What do these results mean for the future of melanoma treatment. The study’s findings suggest several important implications:

  1. Potential for integrative approaches: Combining elements of Gerson therapy with conventional treatments may offer improved outcomes for melanoma patients.
  2. Need for larger, randomized controlled trials: To confirm the efficacy of Gerson therapy, more robust studies with larger patient populations are necessary.
  3. Focus on nutritional interventions: The success of Gerson therapy highlights the potential importance of diet and nutrition in cancer treatment.
  4. Investigation of mechanisms: Further research is needed to understand how Gerson therapy may impact melanoma progression and survival.
  5. Personalized treatment strategies: The gender differences observed in stage IVA suggest the need for more tailored approaches to melanoma treatment.

As research in this area continues, it’s crucial to maintain an open but critical mindset towards alternative therapies while prioritizing evidence-based approaches to cancer treatment.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Cancer Treatment

The promising results of Gerson therapy for melanoma raise broader questions about the role of diet and lifestyle in cancer treatment. How might nutritional interventions impact cancer outcomes. Several mechanisms have been proposed:

  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Many components of the Gerson diet, such as fruits and vegetables, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help combat cancer progression.
  • Detoxification support: The therapy’s emphasis on detoxification, including coffee enemas, may help the body eliminate harmful substances more efficiently.
  • Immune system modulation: A nutrient-rich diet may support optimal immune function, potentially enhancing the body’s ability to fight cancer cells.
  • Metabolic alterations: The specific dietary composition in Gerson therapy may create an environment less favorable for cancer cell growth.
  • Oxidative stress reduction: High intake of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables may help protect cells from damage that could lead to cancer progression.

While these mechanisms are plausible, more research is needed to fully understand how dietary interventions like Gerson therapy may influence cancer outcomes.

Challenges in Studying Alternative Cancer Therapies

Why aren’t there more large-scale studies on alternative cancer therapies like Gerson therapy. Several factors contribute to this research gap:

  1. Funding limitations: Alternative therapies often lack the financial backing of pharmaceutical companies, making large-scale studies challenging to fund.
  2. Standardization issues: Dietary interventions can be difficult to standardize across large patient populations, complicating study design.
  3. Ethical considerations: Randomized controlled trials may face ethical challenges when withholding potentially beneficial treatments from control groups.
  4. Bias and skepticism: The medical community may be skeptical of alternative therapies, leading to less interest in conducting rigorous studies.
  5. Complexity of interventions: Therapies like Gerson involve multiple components, making it difficult to isolate specific effects.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits observed in studies like this one underscore the importance of continued research into alternative and complementary cancer therapies.

Patient Considerations and Clinical Applications

For patients considering Gerson therapy or other alternative treatments for melanoma, it’s essential to approach these options with caution and in consultation with healthcare providers. What should patients and clinicians keep in mind when evaluating alternative therapies?

  • Integration with conventional care: Alternative therapies should be considered as complementary to, not replacements for, evidence-based conventional treatments.
  • Individual patient factors: The suitability of Gerson therapy may vary based on a patient’s overall health, nutritional status, and cancer stage.
  • Quality of life considerations: The strict dietary regimen and detoxification procedures in Gerson therapy may impact quality of life and should be carefully weighed against potential benefits.
  • Monitoring and follow-up: Close medical supervision is crucial when implementing alternative therapies to ensure safety and track progress.
  • Evidence-based decision making: While promising, the results of this single retrospective study should be considered alongside other available evidence on melanoma treatments.

Clinicians should remain open to discussing alternative therapies with patients while providing guidance based on the best available scientific evidence.

Future Directions in Melanoma Research and Treatment

The intriguing results of this study on Gerson therapy for melanoma point to several potential avenues for future research:

  1. Large-scale, multi-center trials: Conducting more extensive studies across diverse patient populations could help confirm or refine the findings of this retrospective analysis.
  2. Mechanistic studies: Investigating the biological mechanisms by which Gerson therapy might influence melanoma progression could lead to new therapeutic targets.
  3. Combination approaches: Exploring how elements of Gerson therapy might be combined with conventional treatments to enhance outcomes for melanoma patients.
  4. Personalized nutrition strategies: Developing tailored dietary interventions based on individual patient characteristics and tumor profiles.
  5. Long-term follow-up studies: Assessing the durability of treatment effects and potential long-term impacts of Gerson therapy on overall health and cancer recurrence.

As our understanding of the complex interplay between diet, lifestyle, and cancer continues to evolve, integrative approaches that combine the best of conventional and alternative therapies may hold promise for improving outcomes in melanoma and other cancers.

Five-year survival rates of melanoma patients treated by diet therapy after the manner of Gerson: a retrospective review

Comparative Study

. 1995 Sep;1(4):29-37.

G L Hildenbrand 
1
, L C Hildenbrand, K Bradford, S W Cavin

Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Gerson Research Organization, San Diego, Calif., USA.
  • PMID:

    9359807

Comparative Study

G L Hildenbrand et al.

Altern Ther Health Med.

1995 Sep.

. 1995 Sep;1(4):29-37.

Authors

G L Hildenbrand 
1
, L C Hildenbrand, K Bradford, S W Cavin

Affiliation

  • 1 Gerson Research Organization, San Diego, Calif. , USA.
  • PMID:

    9359807

Abstract


Objective:

Compare 5-year melanoma survival rates to rates in medical literature.


Design:

Retrospective.


Setting:

Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico.


Patients:

White adult patients (N = 153) with superficial spreading and nodular melanoma, aged 25-72 years.


Intervention:

Gerson’s diet therapy: lactovegetarian; low sodium, fat and (temporarily) protein; high potassium, fluid, and nutrients (hourly raw vegetable/fruit juices). Metabolism increased by thyroid; calorie supply limited to 2600-3200 calories per day. Coffee enemas as needed for pain and appetite.


Main outcome measure:

5-year survival rates by stage at admission.


Results:

Of 14 patients with stages I and II (localized) melanoma, 100% survived for 5 years, compared with 79% of 15,798 reported by Balch. Of 17 with stage IIIA (regionally metastasized) melanoma, 82% were alive at 5 years, in contrast to 39% of 103 from Fachklinik Hornheide. Of 33 with combined stages IIIA + IIIB (regionally metastasized) melanoma, 70% lived 5 years, compared with 41% of 134 from Fachklinik Hornheide. We propose a new stage division: IVA (distant lymph, skin, and subcutaneous tissue metastases), and IVB (visceral metastases). Of 18 with stage IVA melanoma, 39% were alive at 5 years, compared with only 6% of 194 from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Survival impact was not assessed for stage IVB. Male and female survival rates were identical for stages I-IIIB, but stage IVA women had a strong survival advantage.


Conclusions:

The 5-year survival rates reported here are considerably higher than those reported elsewhere. Stage IIIA/B males had exceptionally high survival rates compared with those reported by other centers.

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Publication types

MeSH terms

Gerson therapy | Complementary and alternative therapy

Gerson therapy involves a specific organic vegetarian diet with nutritional supplements and enemas. There is no scientific evidence to use it as a treatment for cancer.

Summary

  • Gerson therapy uses a specific organic vegetarian diet, nutritional supplements and enemas to treat cancer
  • There is no scientific evidence that it can treat cancer or its symptoms
  • Gerson therapy can have severe side effects

What is Gerson therapy?

A German doctor called Max Gerson developed Gerson therapy in the 1920s and 30s. He claimed that it helped cure his migraine headaches. So, he went on to use it to treat other diseases such as tuberculosis and cancer.

You might also hear Gerson therapy called the:

  • Gerson diet
  • Gerson regimen
  • Gerson method

Followers believe that changes to diet and nutrient intake can help to treat cancer. They also think that cancer is a symptom of disease of the whole body. 

It aims to rid the body of toxins and strengthen the body’s immune system. This way supporters say it can bring the body back to its normal metabolic state, and the body can heal itself.

The Gerson regime has 3 main parts:

  • a strict organic vegetarian diet made up of fruit and vegetables high in potassium and low in sodium
  • vitamin and mineral supplements, and specific enzymes
  • coffee or castor oil enemas

Gerson therapists believe that people with cancer have too much salt (sodium) in their bodies. This is compared to the amount of potassium.

People following the therapy only eat organic, vegetarian food. This includes up to 13 glasses of fresh juices a day. It is believed that by doing so, it will restore the right balance. And that it will cleanse the liver. 

Up to 5 coffee enemas a day are also given. It is believed that coffee enemas further help to excrete toxins from the liver and colon. And that taking certain supplements and enzymes help the body to get rid of cancer cells.

Scientific research does not support any of these claims.

Why people with cancer use it

They hope it will control or cure their cancer

Your doctor may have told you that conventional treatments cannot cure your cancer. This can be tough to accept.

In this situation, many people look for alternative therapies, including diets such as Gerson. But there is no scientific evidence that the Gerson diet works. It may cause serious health problems and make you feel worse.

The Gerson Research Organisation published a study in 1995. It looked at people with melanoma skin cancer who were doing the Gerson regime. It found that people on the diet had higher survival rates. This was when compared to rates that were published in other scientific studies.  

But a review study in 2014 found that the 1995 research was not accurate. It also did not use a single classification of tumour staging. Tumour staging means the size of a cancer and how far it has spread. The researchers said that they couldn’t say whether the Gerson regime worked.

Gerson therapy is popular with many people who have advanced cancer. But we need more scientific research before it can be used as a treatment for cancer.

Diet may play an essential role in helping to prevent cancer. But there is no current evidence to say that drastic diet changes will kill cancer cells.

Talk to your doctor before making any decisions about following an alternative diet.

To feel more in control

Some people use alternative or complementary therapy to feel more in control of their cancer and its treatment.

To boost the immune system

Some people believe that Gerson therapy boosts their immune system. By doing so, it helps to fight their cancer.

There is no scientific evidence to prove this, partly because of lack of research. We, need more research to have proof. Only then can we say with certainty that Gerson therapy affects the immune system.

How you have it

The Gerson diet is a strict low salt, organic fruit and vegetable diet.

Each day you will need to:

  • drink 20 pounds (about 9 kilos) of crushed fruit and vegetables (one glass of juice hourly, 13 times each day)
  • have up to 5 coffee enemas and perhaps also castor oil enemas
  • take potassium and other supplements, including vitamin B12, pancreatic enzymes and thyroid supplements

You can have Gerson therapy by staying in a clinic, or you can do it yourself at home.

The Gerson Institute refers people to clinics licensed by them. Their most popular one is in Mexico and there is also one in Hungary.

Gerson therapists advertise their clinics as very safe, relaxing and caring. But it is worth finding out if they have the medical facilities needed if any emergencies arise.

People who go to these clinics sometimes say that they feel better psychologically. These places might be very relaxing and caring places to be. But the possible side effects of Gerson therapy are a cause of concern.

You might stay at the clinic for a couple of weeks and then go home to continue the treatment. Or you can order a home therapy deal on the internet.

Treatment can continue for a few months to a few years. Having this therapy at home takes a great deal of time, energy and commitment. It can be almost a full-time job.

Side effects

In some situations, the Gerson diet can cause severe side effects. Some are potentially harmful. Speak to your doctor first if you are thinking of using the Gerson diet.

Coffee enemas remove a lot of potassium from your body and have been known to cause:

  • infections
  • dehydration
  • fits
  • salt and other mineral imbalances in the body
  • heart and lung problems, even death
  • constipation and inflammation of the bowel (colitis) from regular, long term use of enemas which can weaken the bowel muscle

Other reported side effects include:

  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea and sickness
  • abdominal cramps
  • aching, fever and sweating
  • cold sores
  • dizziness and weakness

Research into Gerson therapy for cancer

There is no evidence to prove that Gerson therapy works as a cure for cancer. We need more research to compare it with accepted and proven treatments within properly organised clinical trials.

The National Cancer Institute in the USA did a review in 2010. They found no evidence that it helped people with cancer.

Researchers in the UK did a study of 6 patients in 2007. They found that this type of therapy seemed to help people feel better emotionally. It also reduced their need for painkillers. But this number of patients is very small, so these findings are not reliable. The researchers suggested that a clinical trial is necessary. This way it will be possible to see if Gerson therapy works as a cancer treatment.

A review study in 2014 looked at 13 different cancer diets. The researchers looked at all the previous research on Gerson therapy. They found that none of the previous reports on Gerson therapy proved that it was effective.

A study looked at the 5-year survival rate of 153 cancer patients. They found that there were higher survival rates in patients with melanoma, ovarian and colorectal cancer, who were undergoing Gerson therapy. This was compared to patients having other therapies. However, this study was done by the Gerson Research Organisation. The method they used is not reliable and flawed. A further review found the evidence and study unreliable. 

It is difficult to be sure if there is any benefit in using Gerson therapy from the research so far.

This is because:

  • record keeping during studies has been quite poor
  • it is a complex therapy that can go on over months or years
  • we can’t know what other factors might or might not affect the outcome during this time, including the environment or other treatments and diets
  • some promoters give only anecdotal evidence, meaning that they use an example of an occasional person getting better as evidence

How much it costs

Gerson therapy can be costly. Do consider the ongoing cost of the treatment before you start.

You will need to buy special equipment if you are thinking of having Gerson therapy at home. Buying organic fruit, vegetables, coffee and supplements will also be an ongoing cost.

You will have to pay for flights and accommodation if you are going to a special clinic in another country. This will be on top of the treatment. Depending on the treatments involved, the cost can be thousands of pounds.

A word of caution

Some elements of the Gerson diet are healthy. For example, eating low fat food and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

But it is not healthy if you are eating vast quantities of one food group in a certain way (juicing) without balancing it with other food groups. It can be harmful to people who are already weak and ill. There are also many possible side effects some of which can be severe.

Most Gerson therapists encourage people not to have chemotherapy while having their therapy. This is because they believe that chemotherapy damages immunity. They say that radiotherapy is more compatible with Gerson treatment.

It is up to you to decide whether you want to use any alternative therapy. Stopping your conventional cancer treatments and methods of symptom control can be harmful.

Talk to your specialist about any alternative or complementary therapies that you want to try. Find out all you can about the therapy before deciding to use it.

Many websites are advertising or promoting Gerson therapy. But reputable scientific cancer organisations do not support them. Do not believe information or pay for alternative cancer therapy over the internet.

  • Gerson regimen

    B Cassileth

    Oncology (Williston Park). February, 2010. Vol 24, (2):201.

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

    A Molassiotis and others

    Integrative Cancer Therapies, March, 2007. Vol 6, (1), 80-88.  

  • Counseling patients on cancer diets: a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical practice.

    J Huebner and others

    Anticancer Research. 2014 January; 34(1):39-48.

  • The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. If you need additional references for this information please contact [email protected] with details of the particular issue you are interested in.

Last reviewed: 

11 Oct 2022

Next review due: 

11 Oct 2025