| Black salve | |
|---|---|
 "Necrosis of left naris and surrounding tissue caused by use of black salve/ointment for suspected melanoma."[clarification needed] This man's nose had to be amputated following use of black salve. Image of same nose after treatment below. | |
| Alternative therapy | |
| Legality | Illegal to market for cancer treatment in most of the world |
| Part of a series on |
| Alternative medicine |
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Black salve, also known by the brand name Cansema, is an ineffective and unsafe alternative cancer treatment. The product is commonly classified as an escharotic—a topical paste which destroys skin tissue and leaves behind a scar called an eschar.[1] Escharotics were widely used to treat skin lesions in the early 1900s, but have since been replaced by safer and more effective treatments.[2] Escharotics, such as black salves, are currently advertised by some alternative medicine marketers as treatments for skin cancer, often with unsubstantiated testimonials and unsupported claims of effectiveness.[3]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has listed Cansema as a "fake cancer cure" and warns consumers to avoid it.[4]
- ^ Jellinek N, Maloney ME (September 2005). "Escharotic and other botanical agents for the treatment of skin cancer: a review". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 53 (3): 487–95. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.04.090. PMID 16112359.
- ^ Staff, Mayo Clinic (June 30, 2010). "Mohs Surgery". Mayo Clinic Patient Information MY01304. Mayo Clinic Website. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- ^ Ngan, Vanessa (December 21, 2009). "Escharotic agents". DermNet NZ. New Zealand Dermatological Society. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
FDA Fake cureswas invoked but never defined (see the help page).