Spindle cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare form of lung cancer representing 0.2 to 0.3% of all primary pulmonary malignancies.

Even with combined surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, these tumors are associated with a poor prognosis and only 10% of patients survive 2 years after diagnosis.

We describe a patient with an unresectable SCC who, following no response to conventional treatment with combined modality therapy, chose to medicate herself with daily doses of germanium obtained in a health food store.

She noted prompt symptomatic improvement and remains clinically and radiographically free of disease 42 months after starting her alternative therapy.

Mainwaring, M.G. et al. Chest 2000 Feb;117(2):591-3