In a small but measurable percent of cases, the sugar pill does actually make tumors
disappear though. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12509397/], and helps with almost every other factor of
care in much larger percentages of the time.
> Conclusion: In randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, presumably with minimum sources of bias, placebos are sometimes associated with improved control of symptoms such as pain and appetite but rarely with positive tumor response. Substantial improvements in symptoms and quality of life are unlikely to be due to placebo effects.