Complementary and alternative therapy use in pediatric oncology patients with failure of frontline chemotherapy

Abstract

Understanding usage patterns may better help pediatric oncologists and palliative-care specialists address the needs of this population, and protect against potentially dangerous drug interactions or side effects from combined CAM and chemotherapy use.

Spiritual assessment and spiritual care offerings as a standard of care in pediatric oncology: A recommendation informed by a systematic review of the literature

“…In three studies, posttraumatic growth, the development of new values, and clarity of life priorities were depicted as part of the spiritual process during pediatric cancer treatment . Wellness and personal reflection practices, such as yoga and mindfulness, were common forms of integrating one's spirituality into daily life . Spirituality for the pediatric cancer patient and family was defined through wellness, positivity, coping, distress adaptation, and life beliefs .…”

“…The papers that elicited pediatric cancer patient perspective on their own spiritual care needs were primarily timed during the survivorship timeframe, as patients retrospectively described spirituality in the setting of survivorship . Child voice was included in the following formats: an open‐ended interview on hope, spiritual quality‐of‐life interviews, needs assessment discrete choice exercise, interview responses about coping strategies during chemotherapy hospitalizations or transplant, in association with advance care planning experience, and in integrative therapy use …”

“…Organizational barriers to spiritual assessment included difficulty in recruitment and difficulty in accrual retention due to participants’ physical illness . In seven articles, the authors mentioned and explained bias . No included paper depicted blinding either participant or researcher.…”

“…39,50,51 Wellness and personal reflection practices, such as yoga and mindfulness, were common forms of integrating one's spirituality into daily life. 52,53 Spirituality for the pediatric cancer patient and family was defined through wellness, positivity, coping, distress adaptation, and life beliefs. 3,40,50,54,55 Spirituality definitions included transcendence of one's experience and growth in and through suffering.…”

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with hematological diseases: experience at a university hospital in northeast Mexico

“…Possible dangerous side effects of some herbal remedies may affect the liver function which is already threatened by chemotherapeutic agents; they can also cause severe myelosuppression, hemostatic defects and impairment of renal function. (12) There have been reports that the pharmacokinetics of agents such as imatinib are affected and the plasma levels of irinotecan are decreased with the use of some natural health products. (22) Physicians must take time to ask patients about the use of CAM and have sufficient knowledge on these therapies to explain about possible interactions with the patients' conventional therapy to assure their wellbeing.…”