The role of your cancer health professional is to create an environment of openness and trust, and to help in making informed decisions about alternative/ complementary therapies. Collaboration will improve the safe integration of all therapies during your experience with cancer. The "Summary" and "Professional Evaluation/ Critique" sections of this Unconventional Therapies manual are cited directly from the medical literature, and are intended to help in the objective evaluation of alternative/ complementary therapies.
Summary
"There is no evidence that any aspect of the diagnostic test nor the treatment used in the Greek Cancer Cure is effective in the treatment of cancer. Nor is there any evidence that the intravenous injections used in the Greek Cancer Cure are safe. Therefore, the American Cancer Society strongly warns against using the Greek Cancer Cure as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition." (CA 1990)
According to a literature search done in June 1999, there is no published evidence in any peer-reviewed journal that Greek Cancer Cure is effective in curing cancer.
Description/ Source/ Components
Dr. Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos of Athens, Greece, claims to use "a blood test that he says diagnoses the location and extent of cancer in a person's body." (CA 1990)
Treatment consists of intravenous injections of a serum which "is said to contain a combination of organic substances such as sugars, vitamins, amino acids, and other factors." (CA 1990)
Patients are encouraged to follow "a diet low in salt and acids, to limit their physical activities, and to avoid certain drugs such as aspirin and laxatives." (CA 1990)
History
"Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos, MD, is a microbiologist who says he developed what he calls the Greek Cancer Cure about 30 years ago." (CA 1990)
According to the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Dr. Alivizatos is a Doctor of Medicine with a specialty in Microbiology and is licensed to practice medicine in Greece, he is accredited by the Athens Medical Society. (CA 1983)
Dr. Alivizatos died in 1991. (National Cancer Institute)
Proponent/ Advocate Claims
Dr. Alivizatos claimed to have developed a blood test that can determine not only the type and location of a patient's cancer, but also its extent. (Hafner)
Promotional materials for the treatment state that the serum "can boost the immune system and help rid the body of cancer tumors and cells." (CA 1990)
"Dr. Alivizatos claims to be successful in treating cancers of the skin, bone, uterus, stomach, and lymphatic system." (CA 1990)
"His serum - cures the cause of your cancer, dissolves the tumor, restores tissue to its normal healthy state." (Jewett)
Treatment is administered by injections of a 'serum' that is "designed to strengthen and help the patient's immunity system fight and destroy cancer cells." The cancer cells are then excreted through the patient's natural body waste. At the same time, it is alleged that the serum "helps the body rejuvenate those cells or parts of the body that have been destroyed by cancer." (CA 1983)
Professional Evaluation/ Critique
Dr. Alivizatos lost his license to practice medicine in Greece on numerous occasions because the serum could not be established as an effective treatment for cancer. (CA 1990) (Hafner) (National Cancer Institute)
"Dr. Alivizatos never has allowed an independent review of his findings nor provided any supporting evidence for his claims. When asked to provide such evidence, Dr. Alivizatos has said that his schedule has not allowed him to collect and publish data." (CA 1990)
Dr. Alivizatos "presents no data on how many patients he has treated, how their cancers or other conditions were diagnosed and confirmed, how their response to treatment was measured, nor how long they survived without evidence of recurring disease." (CA 1990)
Dr. Alivizatos never published his findings in a scientific journal. Moreover, "his serum was never tested by other scientists to see if it did what Dr. Alivizatos claimed, and he refused to make the contents of his serum known." (National Cancer Institute)
"Although Dr. Alivizatos claimed to cure most of his patients, many died within a few months after returning home." (Hafner)
"The American Cancer Society Medical Cancer Information Centre conducted a literature search and found no publications relevant to Dr. Alivizatos' work." (CA 1983)
"The Society has been unable to confirm information that the Greek Minister of Health has the formula for the serum, that the IRAP Laboratories in Geneva is testing the serum, or that Dr. Alivizatos has documentation from the past 22 years of 6,000 Greek patients on file with the Greek Commission of Drugs. (CA 1983)
On two occasions, The American Cancer Society has requested documentation from Dr. Alivizatos on the nature of his cancer treatment. No replies were received. (CA 1983)
Dr. Alivizatos has kept his medicine a mystery, although he was reported to be willing to sell the formula for 7 million dollars. (Dunlop)
A Seattle physician who posed as a patient and subjected himself to the treatment brought back to the U.S. a sample of the medicine for analysis. It was found to be nicotinic acid (niacin). (Dunlop) "As a result of this information the Greek government took action and the clinic closed." (Silver)
"After careful study of the literature and other information available to it, the American Cancer Society does not have evidence that the diagnostic procedure and treatment for cancer proposed by Hariton Alivizatos, MD, results in objective benefit in the treatment of cancer in human beings. Lacking such evidence, the American Cancer Society would strongly urge individuals afflicted with cancer not to participate in Dr. Alivizatos' treatment." (CA 1983)
Costs
In 1989, the cost of the treatment and stay in Athens was $4,000 per couple. (CA 1990)
Baron Travel, who formerly arranged travel to Greece, has stated that cost of the treatment is $50 for each blood test and $40 for each injection. Treatment usually consists of about 18 to 20 shots. Treatment for leukemia can take from one to three years. Costs for travel and accommodation are not included. "The doctor would like to be paid in either cash or travelers' checks." Baron Travel provides detailed information on the program and on the cost and availability of accommodation in a kit provided to prospective patients. (Jewett)
References
CA (Anonymous). Greek cancer cure. CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians 1990;40(6):368-371.
CA (Anonymous). Unproven methods of cancer management: Hariton Alivizatos, M.D. ("Greek Cancer Cure"). CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians 1983;33:252-254.
Dunlop M. Understanding cancer: an invaluable book for cancer patients and their families. Toronto: Irwin, 1985;107.
Jewett E. A special trip to Mexico. Fresno: Baron Travel. (BCCA Cancer Information Centre search file 705)
Hafner AW, editor. Reader's guide to alternative health methods. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: American Medical Association, 1993:128-130.
National Cancer Institute. Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos/Greek Cancer Cure. Cancer Facts 1992 Mar 30.
Silver HKB. Memorandum on Greek cure. Vancouver: BC Cancer Agency, 1986. (BCCA Cancer Information Centre search file 705)
Revised February 2000