Disappearance of an Advanced Adenomatous Colon Polyp aer Intratumoural Injection with Viscum album (European mistletoe) Extract: a Case Report

Authors

  • Tido von Schoen-Angerer ARCIM Institute, Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany; Dept of Pediatrics, Fribourg Hospital HFR, Fribourg, Switzerland
  • Andreas Goyert Dept of Internal Medicine, Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany
  • Jan Vagedes ARCIM Institute, Filderklinik, Filderstadt ; Dept of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Tübingen Germany
  • Helmut Kiene Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Freiburg Germany
  • Harald Merckens Dept of Internal Medicine, Filderklinik, Filderstadt, Germany
  • Gunver S. Kienle Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Freiburg Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.234.acpy

Keywords:

colon polyp, colorectal adenoma, Viscum album, European mistletoe, tumour regression

Abstract

Background & Aim: Extracts of Viscum album (European mistletoe) have immune-stimulatory and cytotoxic effects, with trials showing a well-established effect on the quality of life and prolonged survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Regression of tumours following intratumoural injection with Viscum album extract has been documented in individual cases. However, its influence on colon polyps has not been investigated.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 78-year-old Caucasian male who had undergone hemi-colectomy for a stage IIIC colon cancer but who refused adjuvant chemotherapy. Five years later a newly detected highgrade dysplasia colon adenoma was discovered; however, the adenoma could not be resected endoscopically and the patient did not consent to surgery. Intratumoural injections with Viscum album L extract (Quercus; Iscador®Qu) were administered twice in an attempt to limit tumour growth. Eight months after the second intratumoural injection the adenoma had disappeared and biopsy revealed no intraepithelial dysplasia or adenoma.

Conclusions: This is the first report showing complete regression of a colon adenoma after intratumoural injection with Viscum album extract. Prospective studies should evaluate if the treatment effect is reproducible and if this approach could be a useful pre-operative measure for colon adenomas too large for endoscopic resection.

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Published

2014-12-01

How to Cite

1.
von Schoen-Angerer T, Goyert A, Vagedes J, Kiene H, Merckens H, Kienle GS. Disappearance of an Advanced Adenomatous Colon Polyp aer Intratumoural Injection with Viscum album (European mistletoe) Extract: a Case Report. JGLD [Internet]. 2014 Dec. 1 [cited 2025 Jul. 25];23(4):449-52. Available from: https://www.jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/1369

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Section

Case Reports