Tullio Simoncini (born 1951) is a former Italian physician known for alternative medicine advocacy. He is known for the claim that

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

is caused by the

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from t ...

Candida albicans ''Candida albicans'' is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is a common member of the human gut flora. It can also survive outside the human body. It is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth in 40–60% of healthy adults. It is usu ...

'', and has argued that cancer is a form of candida overgrowth. He also is known for claims that cancer can be cured with

intravenous sodium bicarbonate Intravenous sodium bicarbonate, also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, is a medication primarily used to treat severe metabolic acidosis. For this purpose it is generally only used when the pH is less than 7.1 and when the underlying cause i ...

. On his website, Simoncini says that he was formerly an

oncologist Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

but that designation has been challenged by the medical community because of his use of sodium bicarbonate in the treatment of cancer. The mainstream medical community rejects Simoncini's hypothesis, citing a lack of peer-reviewed studies that support it.

Quackwatch Quackwatch is a United States-based website, self-described as a "network of people" founded by Stephen Barrett, which aims to "combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct" and to focus on "quackery-related information th ...

lists sodium bicarbonate injections as a "dubious treatment".

Criminal convictions

Simoncini was tried and found guilty of fraud and manslaughter in 2006 after a patient died after receiving his treatment. In 2018, Simoncini received a 5-year jail sentence for culpable manslaughter of a cancer patient in 2011.

Subsequent controversy

In 2012, Simoncini became involved in a controversy when he was invited to a conference in

Totnes Totnes ( or ) is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England, within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is about west of Paignton, about west-southwest of Torquay and abo ...

, England, by the Arcturus Clinic.

Trading Standards Trading Standards are the local authority departments with the United Kingdom, formerly known as ''Weights and Measures'', that enforce consumer protection legislation. Sometimes, the Trading Standards enforcement functions of a local authority a ...

then accused the clinic of violating the Cancer Act 1939 because they had published information that "offer dto treat any person for cancer." Stephen Hopwood, the clinic's manager, described Simoncini's invitation as a "misunderstanding".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simoncini, Tullio Living people Sapienza University of Rome alumni Alternative cancer treatment advocates People convicted for health fraud Medical controversies in Italy Italian people convicted of manslaughter 1951 births it:Il cancro è un fungo

Criminal convictions

Subsequent controversy

See also

References