Integrated Oncology in an Integrated Medicine Hospital in Pitigliano (Grosseto, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Complementary medicines (CM), including homeopathy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine, have been introduced for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in the Pitigliano Hospital Centre of Integrated Medicine in order to minimize the side effects of these treatments, which improves quality of life and adherence to conventional therapies. Methods: Cancer patients (240) were enrolled in an integrated care model offering a comprehensive protocol including homeopathy and acupuncture, provided in line with the stage of the disease as well as in consideration of any comorbidities in individual patients. The following data were collected upon enrollment and also after 1-2 months of the integrated therapies:SF-12 quality of life (QoL) questionnaire;Edmonton symptom assessment scale (ESAS);and a questionnaire on the use of conventional medications. Results: There was a 92.4% reduction in symptoms (as monitored by ESAS) caused by the patient's disease or by comorbidities. The SF-12 revealed reduced fatigue and increased wellness, as well as good adherence to the cancer treatments. Additionally, a reduction in

Use of Homeopathy in Integrative Oncology in Strasbourg, France: Multi-center Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study of Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment

“…14 Ferreri et al report a 92% reduction in symptoms. 15 Rossi et al report an improvement in 88% of the cases. 10 These figures are to be compared with the 82.6% of people who qualified the improvement as being "fair" or "a lot", which is found in the homeopathy sub-group.…”

Integrative Oncology: An International Perspective from Six Countries

“…In Tuscany, development of an operating model for integration of CIM therapies, including homeopathy, within the broader oncology care across public health services has led to establishment of publicly funded IO clinics in all of the major cities in the region, serving as an important element of multidisciplinary cancer care. 33 - 35 To date the greatest experience is in breast cancer, although colon and lung cancer patients, as well as those with prostate and gynecological cancers also receive integrative care. The latest milestone is the publication of regional guidelines on breast cancer (a Diagnostic-Therapeutic Care Pathway), which includes numerous indications on the use of CIM.…”