Josef Issels

Dr. Josef Issels (November 21, 1907 - February 11, 1998) is known for having developed an alternative cancer therapy, the Issels treatment, that caused a great amount of controversy among medical professionals. He claimed to cure cancer patients who had otherwise been declared incurable by conventional cancer treatments.

Related Topics:
November 21 - 1907 - February 11 - 1998 - Cancer therapy - Issels treatment

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Issels believed that cancer was caused by the weakening of the human immune system and hence had to be cured by strengthening it again. However, he did not dispute the importance of conventional cancer therapies like surgery and chemotherapy, and did in fact use them when treating his patients.

Related Topics:
Immune system - Surgery - Chemotherapy

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Issels opened his Ringberg Clinic in Bavaria in 1951. As the clinic achieved greater fame, patients from around the world began to seek his treatment. However, his practice was not appreciated by other doctors, specifically the Bavarian Medical Council, which charged Issels with fraud and manslaughter. After a four year legal battle, Issels was acquitted on all charges and his clinic was relicensed.

Related Topics:
Bavaria - 1951 - Fraud - Manslaughter

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Two notable patients of Issels were Lillian Board and Bob Marley, neither of whom he was able to treat successfully. Issels died in 1998, but his wife continues to promote his work through the Issels Foundation.

Related Topics:
Lillian Board - Bob Marley - 1998

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