• Early malignancies. Here it has the greatest scope, especially in Stage 0, i.e. Carcinoma-in-situ.
• Advanced malignancies. Here it is of considerable help in inoperable tumours, recurrences, widespread metastases and in terminal cases, it brings about palliation.
• It is used as a prophylactic for malignant lesions in pre-cancerous states, where regression of the lesion takes place.
• Benign neoplasms.
• Surgery. Inoperable tumours become operable through delineation of the tumour by Iscador therapy. During the operation, it helps prevent dissemination of the tumour. Post-operatively, it hastens a smooth convalescence. Early follow-up treatment by mistletoe can result in a significant reduction in the incidence of recurrences and late metastases by about 30-40 %.
• Concurrent with chemotherapy and/or radiation, mistletoe prevents or reduces toxic side effects, promotes tolerance as well as dispersion of the tumour.
• Cancer patients treated with mistletoe and followed up for a long time with regular laboratory investigations show no toxic symptoms, apart from the desirable rise in body temperature, transient rise in leucocytes and rise in lymphocytes. No harmful side effects have been reported. Even if Iscador is given intensively for many years, there is no depression of the bone marrow unlike chemotherapy and radiation.

Mistletoe therapy stimulates the form-giving processes and forces in the human organism against the tendency to unregulated proliferation of the cell, which is seen in cancer.

Mistletoe preparations are classified according to the host-tree of the mistletoe used in their preparation. Depending on the localization of the primary tumour and on the sex of the client, the type of Iscador preparation is selected. Metastases are typically treated with the same preparations as the primary tumour. Each preparation is available in a number of strengths. The different strengths permit variation in the intensity of the treatment, depending upon the clinical state of the client. The route of administration is usually subcutaneous; only in the case of intracranial tumours is the oral route usually used. The time of administration is usually in the morning, which is the time of the physiological rise of temperature. The frequency of administration varies according to the type and location of the tumour. The duration of the treatment is quite long, extending over a number of years. The changes in the type of mistletoe preparations, dose, frequency, etc., are typically managed through the assessment of the clinical response and relevant laboratory test data.

REACTIONS UNDER MISTLETOE THERAPY 

• Inflammatory reaction with increased flow of blood and swelling in the region of the tumour is seen occasionally with usual subcutaneous injections. This passes off in a few hours.
• Slight increase in body temperature occurs which is desirable as a curative process.
• Transient increase in the neutrophil component of white blood cell count, which persists for some hours.
• Immune stimulation as a whole and consequent inhibition of tumour development which leads to :

1. improvement in the general condition.
2. increased appetite.
3. gain in weight.
4. improved sleep.
5. decrease in fatigue and depression.
6. stimulation of urinary and bowel functions.
7. reduction or disappearance of pain.

• Increased tolerance to irradiation and/or chemotherapy.
• Relief of pain and subjective improvement in the client are most striking even in advanced stages of cancer and inspite of the progressive course of the tumour.
• Very rarely, allergic reactions or anaphylaxis are seen after administration of mistletoe. In such situations, desensitization needs to be carried out before mistletoe can be resumed again.

It should be remembered that Mistletoe is suggested to be used for several years, with gaps in between as suggested by the treating physician.

Mistletoe potentiates the action of other Homeopathic therapeutics that could be taken, as both act on the immune mechanism.  Dr Wood has completed mistletoe training through www.helixor.de and the PAAM association of anthroposophical medicine in North America.  

References:

• Introduction to Anthroposophical Medicine – Robert Gorter, MD.
• Directions to the use of Iscador in the treatment of Cancer – HISCIA and Lukas Klinik publication.
• Cancer as a Disease of Our Times – W. Bühler and R. Leroi. Translation by Dr. R. Goldberg, MD., 1979.
• The Mistletoe Preparation Iscador in Clinical Use – Rita Leroi, MD.
• Iscador – Mistletoe preparations used in anthroposophically extended cancer treatment – Robert Gorter,MD.
• The Essential Steiner – Robert A. McDermott.