Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Database


A TINA.org investigation revealed that numerous cancer centers in the U.S. are deceptively using patient testimonials in their marketing materials, that is, testimonials that promote anecdotal, atypical patient results without clearly and conspicuously disclosing what the generally expected results for a patient in a similar situation would be. Moreover, within this sampling of deceptive testimonials many also promote clinical trials (i.e., research endeavors with no guarantee of therapeutic benefit), as well as novel treatments, such as immunotherapy and/or experimental procedures, without clearly and conspicuously disclosing their limitations, risks and relative rarity.

Below is a sampling of TINA.org’s findings for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  If any of the testimonials attribute the patient’s success to a clinical trial, the entry appears in bold italics.

This center was notified of TINA.org’s findings on October 22nd, 2018.

To learn more about the statistics and criteria used in TINA.org’s investigation, as well as other information, click here.

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Andrea G. Bile Duct Newsletter (Spring 2013) 17.7%
Ann C. Oral, Stage 4 Newsletter (Spring 2017) 31.9%
Bud S. Colorectal, Stage 4 Newsletter (Summer 2014) 13.8%
Carl V. Pancreatic Video A (as see on website) 8.5%
Carl V. Pancreatic Video B (as seen on Youtube) 8.5%
Carl V. Pancreatic Video C (as seen on Youtube) 8.5%
Carl V. Pancreatic Video A (as seen on Youtube) 8.5%
Chris R. Endometrial, Stage 4 Newsletter (Fall 2016) 16.3%
Clare T. Bile Duct Newsletter (Spring 2016) 17.7%
Diane M. Lung, Stage 4 Newsletter (Winter 2017) 4.7%
Erica G. Endometrial, Stage 4 Newsletter (Summer 2016) 16.3%
Guy D. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Hayley H. Ovarian Website 47.4%
James Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%
Jennifer A. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Website 27.4%
Joanne S. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
John M. Lung Video A, Video B (as seen on website) 18.6%
John M. Lung Video B (as seen on Youtube) 18.6%
John M. Lung Video C (as seen on Youtube) 18.6%
Karen Melanoma, Stage 4 Video (as see on Youtube) 22.5%
Karl M. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Newsletter (Fall 2012) 27.4%
Kristina D. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Lyn A. Esophageal, Stage 3 Website 23.6%
Mary Elizabeth W. Melanoma, Stage 4 Facebook 22.5%
Robert G. Melanoma, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Facebook) 22.5%
Vilma Ovarian Facebook (link) 47.4%
Yariv K. Lung Instagram 18.6%