Dr. Stan Gerson, director of the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Case Medical Center and the director of the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine of Cleveland, Ohio., said doctors in Germany could be using stem cells to treat Fawcett in a couple of ways.

First, the cells can be genetically modified and used to attack the tumor directly. Although doctors overseas have been using it as a method of treating cancer for some time, there is still little evidence to show that the treatment is effective, Gerson said.

So far, results of stem cells as a cancer treatment have been mixed, Gerson said.

“Occasionally you will see a country that is far ahead of us in certain areas,” he said. “But those that are ahead of us in this area haven’t been able to show any real benefit, and I don’t think American patients are missing out on anything in this area.”

Gerson said doctors in Germany also may be using the stem cells to rebuild tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

“Stem cells are being used to repair tissue and reconnect the muscle beds,” he said. “Typical treatments used to treat anal cancer like chemo and radiation can be damaging to the bottom. And the stem cells are being used to repair that damage.”

When the cancer is not caught early, it can spread into the lymph nodes, bowel, stomach and liver. It can be hard to treat once it gets to the liver, Gerson said.