Ganoderma has been used as folk medicine since ancient times and it is a popular health food frequently promoted as a cancer cure. It is now well established from in vitro and animal studies that the polysaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is largely responsible for its antitumor efficacy.

Although there is yet no controlled clinical trials in humans for Ganoderma against cancer to date, the indications for its supplemental use can be indirectly supported with clinical trial data from comparable fungal polysaccharides because of a common final pathway of action mediated via the beta-glucan receptor. Based on such indirect data, indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation:
a) to reduce side-effects during chemotherapy or radiotherapy,
b) to prolonging survival and minimize metastasis,
c) to improve quality of life, and
d) to prevent occurrence or recurrence.

In sum, although the cure of any cancer with Ganoderma alone is unlikely, it is probably beneficial under defined circumstances in most cases of malignancy. [Role of Ganoderma Supplementation in Cancer Management, Meridian Medical Group at the Institute of East-West Medicine and Department of Medicine, Cornell Medical College - Raymond Y. Chang, MD]