Turkey Tail Mushroom

Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of benefit

• Modest evidence of slightly better survival among people with cancer as a whole treated with turkey tail added to conventional treatment
• Modest evidence of better survival among people with colorectal cancer as a whole or colon cancer specifically treated with turkey tail or PSK added to chemotherapy
• Modest evidence of better survival among people with stomach cancer treated with turkey tail or PSK added to chemotherapy

• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with colorectal cancer treated with PSK alone
• Preliminary evidence of better 10-year overall survival after curative resection among people with colorectal cancer treated with fluoropyramidines and PSK
• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy and adding turkey tail mushroom
• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with stomach cancer treated with PSK alone
• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with nasopharyngeal cancer treated with PSK added to radiotherapy
• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with lung cancer treated with PSK added to chemotherapy
• Preliminary evidence of better survival among people with leukemia treated with PSK added to chemotherapy

• No evidence of an effect on survival among people with rectal cancer treated with tegafur/uracil (UFC) and PSK added to curative surgery in a preliminary study; also see evidence of lower survival and higher risk of recurrence among people with colorectal cancer when combining tegafur/uracil with PSK in Safety and precautions
• No evidence of an effect on survival among people with esophageal cancer treated with turkey tail added to conventional treatment in a combines analysis of 2 studies
• No evidence of better survival among people with liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and unable to receive standard treatment treated with PSP alone in a preliminary study

See How can turkey tail mushroom help you? What the research says ›

What is your body terrain? ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation among either people rehabilitating from cancer treatment or healthy people treated with turkey tail capsules

See How can turkey tail mushroom help you? What the research says ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better recovery from low lymphocyte, neutrophil and other blood cell counts among people rehabilitating from cancer treatment treated with turkey tail capsules
• Preliminary evidence of better appetite and less pain among people with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with PSP

See How can turkey tail mushroom help you? What the research says ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower markers of cervical and uterine cancer risk among HPV-positive women treated with a C. versicolor-infused vaginal gel
• Preliminary evidence of lower risk of recurrence among people with leukemia treated with PSK
• No evidence of an effect on risk of 5-year recurrence of nasopharyngeal cancer among people treated with PSK added to radiotherapy in a preliminary study

See How can turkey tail mushroom help you? What the research says ›

• Widely used by integrative practitioners
• Not mentioned in integrative cancer clinical practice guidelines

See How do experts use turkey tail mushroom? ›

• A low rate of side effects, typically mild and temporary, has been reported in early clinical trials
• Moderate caution is needed, especially if you have known bleeding or clotting disorders or are using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents or immunosuppressants
• Reduced liver function could impact chemotherapy effects
• Supervision by a medical professional is highly recommended

See Safety and precautions ›

• Widely available without restriction
• Somewhat expensive (between $500 US and $2000 US/year)

See Affordability and access ›