Objective: This pilot study tested the feasibility of performing outcomes a
nd more advanced research regarding cancer patients at two complementary an
d alternative (CAM) clinics. The primary objectives were to determine the f
easibility of (1) obtaining and collecting data from medical records, (2) d
etermining 5-year survival, and (3) comparing 5-year survival to that of co
nventional treatment. In addition, in this paper we present the barriers an
d recommend strategies to facilitate high-quality research.
Settings/Location: The Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico, and the Livin
gston Foundation Medical Center in San Diego, California.
Subjects: New patients who were treated for cancer during 1992 at the Livin
gston Foundation Medical Center and during the first quarter of 1992 at the
Bio-Medical Center.
Results: Charts were available for 89.6% of the 307 new patients treated at
the Bio-Medical Center; 149 (54%) patients were treated for cancer and 65
(43.6%) cases were confirmed by pathology reports. In contrast, all records
were available for 193 new patients treated for cancer at the Livingston C
linic; 152 (78.8%) cases had pathology confirmation. At both clinics, patie
nts were equally divided by gender and were predominantly Caucasian, were m
arried, and were U.S. residents. On average, patients were 51-54 years old
and within 1 year of diagnosis for breast, colorectal, lung, or male genita
l cancer. Most patients (61.1%-63.7%) arrived with distant or regional dise
ase after conventional surgery and/or chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Survival a
t 5 years was determined for 57.0% at the Bio-Medical Center (11.4% were al
ive and 45.6% were deceased) and 94.8% at Livingston (14.5% were alive and
80.3% were deceased). The limited number of cases by cancer site prevented
comparison to conventional treatment.
Conclusions: Historical, widespread use of clinics such as these with anecd
otal reports of extraordinary survival merit prospective, systematic monito
ring of patient outcomes, For data to be meaningful, however, disease statu
s must be pathologically confirmed and patient follow-up improved.