Tumor Clinic Conference

Abstract

The author reports a case of regression of carcinoma of the rectum after intensive meditation in the absence of any medical treatment whatsoever. Strangely enough, at present there is no clear indication that one type of neoplasm is more susceptible to intensive meditation than another. This probably means that host resistance and the effect of a profound and sustained reduction of anxiety on the immune system are more important in this work than is the nature of the tumour itself. It may well be that the extreme reduction of anxiety in these patients triggers off the mechanism as that which becomes active in the rare spontaneous remissions. This would be consistent with the observation that spontaneous remissions are often associated with some kind of religious experience or profound psychological reaction. Before the commencement of treatment, it is explained to all cancer patients, and if possible to a relative, that this approach is at present purely experimental. If the patient says that he has been advised to have chemotherapy, and asks for my opinion, he is always told that this is the orthodox treatment. My data have not yet reached a stage at which they can be effectively subjected to statistical analysis, and my own advancing years make any prolonged trial impracticable. In these circumstances, the publication of case reports may bring others to consider this approach as a possible alternative treatment of cancer.