Black Salve & Skin cancers

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Hi All,

 

Re escharotics (including Black Salve) and skin cancers, see:

 

McDaniel S, Goldman GD. Consequences of using escharotic agents

as primary treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Arch Dermatol.

2002 Dec;138(12):1593-6. Division of Dermatology, U Vermont College

of Medicine, Fletcher-Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.

BACKGROUND: The use of escharotic or caustic pastes to treat skin

cancer is based on the centuries-old observation that selected minerals

and plant extracts may be used to destroy certain skin lesions. Zinc

chloride and Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) are 2 agents that are

used as part of the Mohs chemosurgery fixed-tissue technique. The use

of escharotics without surgery has been discredited by allopathic

medicine but persists and is promoted among alternative practitioners.

Patients may now purchase " herbal supplements " for the primary self-

treatment of skin cancer, and physicians will see patients who elect this

therapy for their skin cancers. OBSERVATIONS: We reviewed the

history of escharotic use for skin disease and performed an Internet

search for the availability and current use of escharotics. Our search

located numerous agents for purchase via the Internet that are

advertised as highly successful treatments for skin cancer. We report 4

cases from our practice in which escharotic agents were used by

patients to treat basal cell carcinomas in lieu of the recommended

conventional treatment. One patient had a complete clinical response,

but had a residual tumor on follow-up biopsy. A second patient

successfully eradicated all tumors, but severe scarring ensued. A third

patient disagreed with us regarding his care and was lost to follow-up.

One patient presented with a nasal basal cell carcinoma that " healed "

for several years following treatment elsewhere with an escharotic

agent but recurred deeply and required an extensive resection. The

lesion has since metastasized. CONCLUSIONS: Escharotic agents are

available as herbal supplements and are being used by patients for the

treatment of skin cancer. The efficacy of these agents is unproven and

their content is unregulated. Serious consequences may result from

their use. Conventional medicine has an excellent track record in

treating skin cancer. Physicians should recommend against the use of

escharotic agents for skin cancer, and the FDA should be given the

authority to regulate their production and distribution. Publication Types:

Case Reports PMID: 12472348 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

BUT ALSO SEE: Michael Tierra's article: " Thoughts on the Use of

Escharotic Pastes for the Treatment of Cancer August 30, 2005 " at

http://tinyurl.com/pdywb

 

Best regards,