Lung cancer patient sees tumour shrink by over 70% using cannabis oil

A lung cancer patient, who declined conventional treatment, saw her tumour shrink by more than 70 per cent using only cannabis oil, researchers report.

According to a new case report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), a patient who declined conventional lung cancer treatment, but began taking cannabis oil, saw her tumour shrink considerably over a two and a half year period.

The patient, who was in her 80s, began administering the oil – referred to as ‘CBD oil’ in the report, but contained equal parts CBD and THC – two to three times a day without the knowledge of her doctors.

Researchers write that MRI scans show the initial 41mm tumour in June 2018 had reduced to 10mm by February 2021, reflecting an overall 76 per cent reduction in size.

The case was brought to the attention of the patient’s hospital team in February 2019 when an MRI showed a reduction in tumour size, despite having received no conventional treatment for her lung cancer.

According to the case report, the oil was sourced from outside the UK and contained equal levels of THC and CBD, with slightly higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) – the precursor to THC.

There were “no other changes to her prescribed medications, diet and lifestyle” and the patient was said to continue smoking “one packet of cigarettes a week” throughout this period.

The researchers wrote: “Previous studies have failed to agree on the usefulness of cannabinoids as a cancer treatment. This case appears to demonstrate a possible benefit of ’CBD oil’ intake that may have resulted in the observed tumour regression.”

They concluded that the potential for cannabinoids to be used as an alternative or additional therapy alongside conventional cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy “justifies further research”.

“Existing cancer treatments could have severe side effects, both physically and mentally. This is why our patient decided on nonconventional self-treatment,” they added.

“The limited number of case reports appear to show that ‘CBD oil’ can have positive effects on tumour reduction. More research is needed to identify the actual mechanism of action, administration pathways, safe dosages, its effects on different types of cancer and any potential adverse side effects when using cannabinoids. The potential for cannabinoids to be used as an alternative to augment or replace conventional primary cancer treatments definitely justifies further research.”

The patient’s perspective

The patient said she was “over the moon” with the results and intends to continue taking the oil “indefinitely”.

She commented: “I was not very interested in traditional cancer treatments as I was worried about the risks of surgery, and I saw my late husband suffer through the side effects of radiotherapy. My relative suggested that I should try ‘cannabidiol (CBD) oil’ to treat my cancer, and I have been taking it regularly ever since. I am ‘over the moon’ with my cancer shrinking, which I believe was caused by the ‘CBD oil’. I am tolerating it very well and I intend to take this treatment indefinitely.”

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