Oncology in Cambodia.

Cambodia, a country of 14 million inhabitants, was devastated during the Khmer Rouge period and thereafter. The resources of treatment are rare: only one radiotherapy department, renovated in 2003, with an old cobalt machine; few surgeons trained to operate on cancer patients; no hematology; no facilities to use intensive chemotherapy; no nuclear medicine department and no palliative care unit. Cervical cancer incidence is one of the highest in the world, while in men liver cancer ranks first (20% of all male cancers). Cancers are seen at stage 3 or 4 for 70% of patients. There is no prevention program - only a vaccination program against hepatitis B for newborns - and no screening program for cervical cancer or breast cancer. In 2010, oncology, recognized as a full specialty, was created to train the future oncologists on site at the University of Phnom Penh. A new National Cancer Center will be built in 2013 with modern facilities for radiotherapy, medical oncology, hematology and nuclear medicine. Cooperation with foreign countries, especially France, and international organizations has been established and is ongoing. Progress is occurring slowly due to the shortage of money for Cambodian institutions and the lay public.

[Evaluation in clinical practice of the quality of life of patients with VADS cancer: an ethical justification or a fad?]. / Evaluation en pratique clinique de la qualité de vie des patients atteints de cancers des V.A.D.S.: une démarche éthique justifiée ou un effet de mode?

Now that the treatment of head and neck cancer has been perfectly standardized and the complications and sequelae are well known, many authors have started to investigate health-related quality of life (QoL). The use of generic and cancer-specific QoL instruments remains limited to the field of research, but can this approach be transposed to clinical oncology? This study was designed to answer this question by identifying the ethical problems related to QoL assessment. The methodology used is based on a questionnaire survey of a cohort of 40 volunteer patients, conducted some time after their initial treatment in order to optimally assess their expectations and questions in relation to these aspects. The validity of the instrumental approach cannot be guaranteed due to conceptual limits, and the sociocultural level and cognitive state of the target population. A more subtle approach to QoL assessment in routine clinical practice would consist of a mixed approach harmoniously combining quantitative and qualitative aspects based on questionnaire and interview.

[Should psychological events be considered cancer risk factors?]. / Existe-t-il un lien entre un événement psychique et le risque de survenue d'un cancer ?

BACKGROUND: The possibility that life events, personality or depression can be considered risk factors for cancer has been of great interest among the lay public and doctors. METHODS: A critical review of different publications of meta-analyses, case-control studies and cohort studies investigating a possible relation between the onset of cancer and life events, personality disorders or depression is presented. Many studies have methodological limitations with possible bias, which may explain controversial results. We selected 32 studies from which conclusions can be drawn with the least amount of bias. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 32 publications whose methodology permits unbiased interpretation show no link between psychological factors and the risk of cancer. Six publications show a significant link only in one or several subgroups and four surveys, three of which were published by the same author, show an inverse relation in gynecological cancers. As for life events and breast cancer, the results are slightly in favor of a positive relation in four studies; four others showed no relation and one argues in favor of an inverse risk, which means a protective effect for this cancer. For life events and other cancers, studies show no relation, with the possible exception of cancers in women where endogenous estrogens can play a role (colon and endometrial cancers), where there is an inverse relation. No studies showed a significant relation between personality features and the risk of cancer. The studies of a possible relation between depression and cancer are controversial and no conclusion can be drawn. CONCLUSION: It cannot be confidently concluded that life events, personality features or depression play a role in the onset of cancer.

[Complementary and alternative medicines taken by cancer patients]. / Médecines complémentaires et alternatives suivies par les patients cancéreux en France.

244 cancer patients from 2 public hospitals (one adult, one pediatric) and one private clinic receiving chemotherapy were asked about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Nearly 28% used one or several CAM, especially homeopathy (60%), special diets or dietary supplements (44%), mistletoe (40%) and less frequently acupuncture or other treatments. These CAM are started 4 to 5 months after the onset of chemotherapy. The reasons for using CAM are enhance host defenses, better tolerance of treatment, but also for nearly 27% to treat cancer. All patients were treated by anticancer classical treatments and none thought to stop them. CAM are prescribed especially by homeopathic doctors. 30% of patients using CAM did not inform their oncologist of their CAM treatment. The same conclusions were drawn for the only 10 pediatric patients. The majority of all patients did not take any CAM before their cancer. In a multivariate analysis, female, young age (30-50 y) are correlated to CAM. All patients taking CAM are satisfied by the CAM treatment with good subjective results on their general status, fatigue and nausea-vomiting. These results are similar to other studies done in Europe.

Determinants of patient satisfaction in oncology settings from European and Asian countries: preliminary results based on the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire.

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated significantly with hospitalised cancer patients' satisfaction with care. Patients were recruited from four geographical/cultural groups, including five European countries and Taiwan. They rated their level of satisfaction by completing the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire at home. Additionally, data were collected on the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the quality of life of the patients, as well as on institutional characteristics. Of 762 patients recruited, 647 (85%) returned a completed questionnaire. The number of nurses and doctors per bed, institution size, geo-cultural origin, ward setting, teaching/non-teaching setting, treatment toxicity, global health status, participation in clinical trials and education level were all associated significantly at the multivariate level with satisfaction with doctor and nurse interpersonal skills, information provision, availability, and/or overall satisfaction. A number of patient-, institutional- and culture-related factors are associated with the perceived quality of cancer care. Future studies, with appropriate sampling frames and stratification procedures, are needed to better understand cross-national and cross-cultural differences in cancer patient satisfaction.

[Multisite validation study of questionnaire assessing out-patient satisfaction with care questionnaire in ambulatory chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment]. / Validation multicentrique d'un questionnaire de satisfaction des soins lors d'un traitement de chimiothérapie ou radiothérapie ambulatoire.

Patient satisfaction is now recognised as an important quality of care outcome which is particularly relevant in oncology. Adapted from the EORTC In-Patsat32, the Out-Patsat35 is a 35-item satisfaction with care questionnaire measuring cancer outpatients' perception of hospital doctors and nurses, as well as aspects of care organisation and services. This study assessed the psychometric properties of this scale. Patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT) in 7 cancer centres in France were invited to complete at home the Out-Patsat35 as well as EORTC QLQ-C30 for psychometric testing. Of 416 eligible patients recruited, 96% returned the questionnaire. Most patients (71% in CT; 69% in RT) completed this scale within 15 minutes and the mean rate of item omission was only 4.4%. Confirmatory analyses revealed good convergent validity and excellent internal consistency, although some subscales within the Out-Patsat35 were relatively highly correlated. Items and subscales of the Out-Patsat35 and of the QLQ-C30 were not significantly correlated, underlying that the two questionnaires are assessing quite distinct concepts. The subscales of the Out-Patsat35 were not related to age, gender and education, suggesting a cultural evolution in French cancer patients towards a greater homogeneity in their opinion toward care. This study supports the acceptability to patients, and the psychometric properties of the EORTC Out-Patsat35 questionnaire.

An international prospective study of the EORTC cancer in-patient satisfaction with care measure (EORTC IN-PATSAT32).

Little is known about patients' satisfaction with care in oncology hospitals across cultural contexts. Within the EORTC, we developed a 32-item satisfaction with care questionnaire to measure patients' appraisal of hospital doctors and nurses, as well as aspects of care organisation and services. This study assessed the psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire, the EORTC IN-PATSAT32, in a large, international sample of patients with cancer. Patients discharged from a surgery or medical oncology ward in nine countries were invited to complete at home the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 as well as other instruments for psychometric testing. Of 762 eligible patients recruited, 15% failed to return the questionnaire. Of the 647 compliant patients, 63% completed the questionnaires within 15 min and 82% required no help in its completion. Multitrait scaling analysis revealed excellent internal consistency and convergent validity, although some scales within the IN-PATSAT32 were relatively highly correlated. Test-retest data on 113 patients showed high reliability for most scales. Scales of the IN-PATSAT32 and of the QLQ-C30 were not significantly correlated, suggesting that the two questionnaires are assessing quite distinct concepts. The scales of the IN-PATSAT32 were able to discriminate clearly between patients with differing care expectations and differing intentions to recommend their hospital to others. This study supports the acceptability to patients, and the psychometric robustness of the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire. Further studies are needed to assess the responsiveness of the questionnaire to changes in the structure and process of care over time.

Long-term efficacy of early versus delayed radiotherapy for low-grade astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma in adults: the EORTC 22845 randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative policies of "wait-and-see" and radiotherapy for low-grade glioma are poorly defined. A trial in the mid 1980s established the radiation dose. In 1986 the EORTC Radiotherapy and Brain Tumor Groups initiated a prospective trial to compare early radiotherapy with delayed radiotherapy. An interim analysis has been reported. We now present the long-term results. METHODS: After surgery, patients from 24 centres across Europe were randomly assigned to either early radiotherapy of 54 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy or deferred radiotherapy until the time of progression (control group). Patients with low-grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, mixed oligoastrocytoma, and incompletely resected pilocytic astrocytoma, with a WHO performance status 0-2 were eligible. Analysis was by intention to treat, and primary endpoints were overall and progression-free survival. FINDINGS: 157 patients were assigned early radiotherapy, and 157 control. Median progression-free survival was 5.3 years in the early radiotherapy group and 3.4 years in the control group (hazard ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.45-0.77; p<0.0001). However, overall survival was similar between groups: median survival in the radiotherapy group was 7.4 years compared with 7.2 years in the control group (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.71-1.34; p=0.872). In the control group, 65% of patients received radiotherapy at progression. At 1 year, seizures were better controlled in the early radiotherapy group. INTERPRETATION: Early radiotherapy after surgery lengthens the period without progression but does not affect overall survival. Because quality of life was not studied, it is not known whether time to progression reflects clinical deterioration. Radiotherapy could be deferred for patients with low-grade glioma who are in a good condition, provided they are carefully monitored.

Methodological quality and reporting of ethical requirements in phase III cancer trials.

BACKGROUND: The approval of a research ethics committee (REC) and obtaining informed consent from patients (ICP) could be considered the main issues in the ethics of research with human beings. The aim of this study was to assess both methodological quality and ethical quality, and also to assess the relationship between these two qualities in randomised phase III cancer trials. METHOD: Methodological quality (Jadad score) and ethical quality (Berdeu score) were assessed for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in 10 international journals between 1999 and 2001 (n = 231). RESULTS: The mean Jadad score was 9.86 +/- 1.117. The methodological quality was poor in 75 RCTs (Jadad score <9). The mean Berdeu score was 0.42 +/- 0.133. The mean ethical quality score for poor methodological quality RCTs (n = 75) was 0.39 +/- 0.133; it was 0.43 +/- 0.133 for good (n = 156) methodological quality RCTs (p = 0.07). There was improvement in ethical quality according to the year of commencement of the trials (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between methodological quality and the number of participating patients (R2 = 0.003, p = 0.78), between ethical quality and the number of participating patients (R2 = 0.003, p = 0.76 ), or between ethical quality and methodological quality (R2 = 0.012, p = 0.1). ICP and REC approval were not obtained for 21 and 77 trials respectively. CONCLUSION: The association between methodological quality and the reporting of ethical requirements probably reflects the respect shown for patients during the whole research process. These results suggest that closer attention to the conduct of clinical research, as well as the reporting of its ethical aspects, is needed.

French version of FACT-G: validation and comparison with other cancer-specific instruments.

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the French version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G), and to compare its psychometric properties with those of two other cancer-specific quality of life questionnaires, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life - Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Functional Living Index - Cancer (FLIC). Two hundred and twenty three patients with breast or colorectal cancer completed the FACT-G questionnaire in French followed by (in random order) the QLQ-C30 and FLIC. An additional 87 patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer completed the FACT-H&N followed by the QLQ-C30 and H&N-Besançon. The French version of FACT-G was internally consistent, and its reproducibility was excellent. FACT-G Physical Well-Being and global scores correlated with all QLQ-C30 subscales. There was evidence of discriminant validity. Compared with the other tools, FACT-G included a statistically significantly higher proportion of items patients considered to be confusing or upsetting. Patients with breast or colorectal cancer expressed a preference for QLQ-C30. Use of the specific H&N additional items increased the responsiveness to change of FACT-G. The French version of FACT-G is valid and has psychometric properties similar to those of FLIC and QLQ-C30.

Patients' satisfaction ratings and their desire for care improvement across oncology settings from France, Italy, Poland and Sweden.

There has been an increasing interest in patient satisfaction assessment across nations recently. This paper reports on a cross-cultural comparison of the comprehensive assessment of satisfaction with care (CASC) response scales. We investigated what proportion of patients wanted care improvement for the same level of satisfaction across samples from oncology settings in France, Italy, Poland and Sweden, and whether age, gender, education level and type of items affected the relationships found. The CASC addresses patient's satisfaction with the care received in oncology hospitals. Patients are invited to rate aspects of care and to mention for each of these aspects, whether they would want improvement.One hundred and forty, 395, 186 and 133 consecutive patients were approached in oncology settings from France, Italy, Poland and Sweden, respectively. Across country settings, an increasing percentage of patients wanted care improvement for decreasing levels of satisfaction. However, in France a higher percentage of patients wanted care improvement for high-satisfaction ratings whereas in Poland a lower percentage of patients wanted care improvement for low-satisfaction ratings. Age and education level had a similar effect across countries. Confronting levels of satisfaction with desire for care improvement appeared useful in comprehending the meaning of response choice labels for the CASC across oncology settings from different linguistic and cultural background. Linguistic or socio-cultural differences were suggested for explaining discrepancies between countries.

Systematic esophageal endoscopy screening in patients previously treated for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: An attempt was made to improve metachronous oesophageal cancer prognosis through bi-annual systematic esophageal endoscopy screening in patients treated for head and neck cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bi-annual esophageal endoscopy, without a staining procedure, was performed in 1560 patients from 1987 to 1997. The distribution of previous head and neck cancer was oral cavity (20%), oropharynx (30%), hypopharynx (34%), and larynx (16%). All patients had initial panendoscopic inspection before HNSCC treatment. Esophageal tumors were considered to be second synchronous primaries when discovered within the first six months of initial tumor diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty metachronous esophageal asymptomatic cancers (42 T1 and 7 in situ carcinomas) were diagnosed by endoscopy. The median time between the HNC and the esophageal carcinoma was 43 months (7-137 months). Metachronous esophageal carcinoma was discovered in 2.6% of patients with oral cavity tumor, 5.7% of patients with oropharynx tumor, 2.3% of patients with hypopharynx tumor, and 1.7% of patients with larynx tumor. Causes of death were: 41.1% related to esophageal tumor with tumor progression, metastatic evolution, or treatment toxicity; 28.9% related to non malignant causes; 26.6% related to a cancer that was not of esophageal origin. CONCLUSIONS: Over a 10-year period, systematic bi-annual esophageal endoscopy uncovered metachronous esophageal tumors in 3.2% of 1560 patients originally treated for head and neck carcinoma, developing in a median time of 47 months. Patients with initial oropharyngeal tumors had a significantly higher risk of metachronous esophageal SCC, compared to the other tumor sites (P < 0.02 with Fisher exact test). Given the elevated death rate not related to the esophageal cancer and the median survival of 16 months, any potential benefit from this time-consuming procedure is debatable.

A comprehensive assessment of satisfaction with care: preliminary psychometric analysis in French, Polish, Swedish and Italian oncology patients.

Satisfaction with care may be closely related to quality of life in cancer patients. This evaluation is especially relevant when quality of care is considered. The present study assessed whether equivalent scaling properties could be found in a comprehensive assessment of satisfaction with care (CASC) administered in cancer patients from French, Polish and Swedish oncology settings, in comparison to the scaling properties previously evidenced in the CASC with an Italian sample. A total of 140, 186 and 133 oncology patients were approached in France, Poland and Sweden, respectively. Specific items in the CASC were identified as consistently omitted across country samples. Multitrait scaling analysis on an item-grouping adapted for the French, Polish, Swedish and Italian samples provided excellent internal consistencies and convergent validity estimates. Discriminant validity proved less satisfactory, evidencing overlap between hypothesised care dimensions across country samples. The identification of omitted or overlapping items will lead to the design of a revised CASC version to further test in larger cross-cultural samples.

Results of a phase III prospective, randomised trial, comparing mitoxantrone and vinorelbine (MV) in combination with standard FAC/FEC in front-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer.

This comparative phase III trial of mitoxantrone+vinorelbine (MV) versus 5-fluorouracil+cyclophosphamide+either doxorubicin or epirubicin (FAC/FEC) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer was conducted to determine whether MV would produce equivalent efficacy, while resulting in an improved tolerance in relation to alopecia and nausea/vomiting. This multicentre study recruited and randomised 281 patients with metastatic breast cancer; 280 were evaluable for response survival and toxicity (138 received FAC/FEC, 142 received MV). Patient characteristics were matched in each arm and stratification for prior exposure to adjuvant therapy was made prospectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was equivalent in the two arms (33.3% for FAC/FEC versus 34.5% for MV), but MV was more effective in patients who had received prior adjuvant therapy (13% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3-23) for FAC/FEC versus 33% (95% CI 20-47) for MV P=0.025) with a better progression-free survival (PFS) (5 months (range 1-18 months) versus 8 months (range 1-27 months); P=0.0007 for FAC/FEC versus MV, respectively) while FAC/FEC was more effective in previously untreated patients (ORR 43% (95% CI 33-53) versus 35% (95% CI 25-45), P=0.26; PFS 9 months (range 0-29 months) versus 6 months (range 0-26 months) P=0.014). Toxicity was monitored through the initial six cycles of therapy; febrile neutropenia and delayed haematological recovery was more frequent for MV (P=0.001), while nausea/vomiting of grades 3-4 was greater for FAC/FEC (P=0.031), as was alopecia (P=0.0001), cardiotoxicity was the same for the two regimens. MV represents a chemotherapy combination with equivalent efficacy to standard FAC/FEC and improved results for patients who have previously received adjuvant chemotherapy. Toxicity must be balanced to allow for increased haematological suppression and risk of febrile neutropenia with MV compared with a higher risk of subjectively unpleasant side-effects such as nausea/vomiting and alopecia with FAC/FEC.

Alternative medicine use worldwide: the International Union Against Cancer survey.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, the authors attempted to surmount the deficiencies of previous surveys and elicit information regarding the use of alternative treatments of cancer worldwide. METHODS: The International Union Against Cancer (UICC), an international, nongovernment volunteer organization, E-mailed a questionnaire concerning alternative therapy use to its members. RESULTS: A total of 83 responses from 33 countries were received. Descriptive analyses of this dataset were conducted, indicating the existence of a large and heterogeneous group of unproved remedies used to treat cancer in both developed and developing countries around the world. CONCLUSIONS: Improved public education concerning the importance of early medical attention and the value of documented cancer therapies, the wider availability of useful cancer treatments, and public policies that are sensitive to the patient's need to play a meaningful role in his or her own care are required.

[Conservative treatment of choroidal melanoma using iodine-125 brachytherapy, technique and preliminary analysis of 78 patients]. / Traitement conservateur des mélanomes choroïdiens par curiethérapie par l'iode 125, technique et analyse préliminaire d'une série de 78 patients.

PURPOSE: Iodine 125 curietherapy is one of the conservative treatments of uveal melanoma. The technique used to achieve these results was simplified through the physical characteristics of the radioelement and the optimized-dosimetry program employed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 78 patients with choroidal melanoma were treated with iodine 125. About 100 Gy were delivered to the superior pole of the tumour. The minimal length of follow-up was 17 months and the average, 67 months. RESULTS: There was 88% local control, leading to lowered visual acuity in 76% of the cases. Radiation retinopathy, directly related to proximity to the macula, is the principle etiology. Seven patients died of hepatic metastasis, five patients were enucleated. Four patients were further treated with protontherapy to make up for noncontrol locally. CONCLUSION: One dose of 100 Gy to the superior pole of the tumor seemed to lead to good local control, with the exception of complications related to proximity to the macula and the optic nerve. In this attempt to optimize irradiation, the time lapse between any benefit in local control derived from irradiation and posttherapeutic complications observed remains insufficient to evaluate any relationship.

Post-radiation severe xerostomia relieved by pilocarpine: a prospective French cooperative study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the study was: (1) to confirm the action of pilocarpine hydrochloride (Salagen) against xerostomia: (2) to correlate the response to dose/volume radiotherapy parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1995 to February 1996, 156 patients with severe radiation induced xerostomia received pilocarpine hydrochloride orally. IS mg per day with a 5 mg optional increase at S weeks up to a daily dose of 25 mg beyond 9 weeks. RESULTS: One hundred and forty five patients are fully evaluable. Treatment compliance was 75%. Thirty eight patients (26%) stopped treatment before week 12 for acute intolerance (sweating, nausea, vomiting) or no response. No severe complication occurred. Ninety ses en patients (67%) reported a significant relief of symptoms of xerostomia at 12 weeks. Within 12 weeks, the size of the subgroup ith normal food intake almost doubled (13-24 patients) while the size of the subgroup with (nearly) impossible solid food ingestion decreased by 38% (47 vs. 29 patients). The impact on quality of life was considered important or very important by 77% of the responders. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found according to dose/volume radiotherapy parameters suggesting that oral pilocarpine hydrochloride: (1) acts primarily by stimulating minor salivary glands: (2) can be of benefit to patients suffering of severe xerostomia regardless of radiotherapy dose/volume parameters: (3) all responders are identified at 12 weeks.

[Quality of life measure in cancerology]. / Mesure de la qualité de vie en cancérologie.

CONCEPT: Quality of life assessment in cardiology has become an important point in the overall evaluation of anticancer treatments. Quality of life is a multidimensional subjective concept usually assessed by self-administered questionnaires with a linear analogous design. Multiple choice questions can also be used to explore several dimensions of quality of life. QUESTIONNAIRES: No one questionnaire is ideal. Two appear to be most widely used worldwide. The main body of these modular questionnaires is completed by specific sections dealing as needed with designated organs or treatment toxicity. Data interpretation is particularly difficult and must take into consideration the fact that most currently used questionnaires measure health in general rather than the philosophical concept of quality of life. CLINICAL APPLICATION: Use of quality of life questionnaires varies greatly. These tools can be used to estimate the impact of public health measures or treatments in general. They are most widely used to date as assessment tools for therapeutic trials or to provide secondary criteria in trials where survival is the main outcome criteria. In this case, they provide a means of comparing symptomatic treatment and anticancer treatments or two different anticancer treatments. Studies are under way to use quality of life scales in everyday patient care. PERSPECTIVES: Certain authors have attempted to combine quality and quantity of life in a single tool in order to obtain a global index which could be used to compare large groups of patients. Different tools are still in the development phase.

Unproven methods in cancer: a worldwide problem.

Questionable or unproven methods are used by cancer patients throughout the world. Treatments include drugs, vitamins, herbs, diets, healing, "psychological" treatments, folk medicines, and homeopathy. The exact frequency of questionable methods in cancer is difficult to evaluate because of the variety of methods, some being used as complementary treatments to conventional ones (and often not mentioned by patients) and others, as curative treatment (alternative treatment). In Europe, data are available for the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France and Italy. High frequencies of use are observed in German-speaking countries (52-65%). In North America, many publications give frequencies of between 7% and 54%. In Mexico, the frequency is 50%, higher than in Argentina (17%). In Australia, 22% have used complementary medicines. In Asia, some data are available from India, Taiwan and Japan. In Tunisia (northern Africa), the results of 59 interviews also show the use of questionable methods among Arabic patients. There is a lack of data from countries in Africa and in Asia. While some products are used all over the world (e.g. mistletoe, vitamins), others are country specific (Moerman diet in The Netherlands). Some traditional medicines are also country specific (e.g., Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine in India). Both alternative and complementary unproven methods are prescribed either according to classical concepts of cancer treatment or according to a new concept of the world and of life.