Integrative Medicine in Childhood Cancer

Abstract

The diagnosis of cancer in a child leaves parents and families devastated and vulnerable. In an effort to do everything possible, families often choose an integrative medicine approach to their child's care. Surveys have found that 31%-84% of children with cancer use complementary and alternative medicine and most often as supportive care agents. Several systematic reviews have demonstrated a clinical benefit for some select therapies; however, the safety and efficacy of the combination of biological therapies with conventional treatment remain largely unknown and garner concern due to the potential for interactions with conventional therapy. Given the sustained use and potential benefit of integrative medicine, additional research is warranted in pediatric oncology. Utilizing the available literature, clinical providers should aim to conduct open and nonjudgmental discussions with families about the use of integrative medicine so as to guide the safe integration of the two modalities.

An integrative review on the information and communication needs of parents of children with cancer regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine

“…According to parents, symptoms such as pain, emotional distress, fatigue and loss of appetite cause the most problems for children undergoing cancer treatment [3]. Parents often choose Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as supportive agent with the aim to reduce these cancer treatment-related symptoms in their children [4]. CAM is defined as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine [5].…”

Evidence, safety and recommendations for when to use acupuncture for treating cancer related symptoms: a narrative review

“…The strength of evidence is not yet strong for symptoms other than CINV,10, 11 but it has increased so that authors now recognize that acupuncture may be effective for cancer pain,10, 11 aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgia (in breast cancer), fatigue, recovery after colorectal cancer resection 11 as well as symptoms also seen commonly in cancer patients such as post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), anxiety, depression and sleep problems 10, 11. The following symptoms have been found to have clearly positive or trend positive findings in reviews: 5 CINV,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 PONV, 14 post-op pain,23, 24, 25 cancer related pain,14, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 arthralgia from aromatase inhibitors,30, 31, 32, 33 xerostomia,14, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 hot flashes (especially in breast cancer),12, 14, 17, 22, 23, 31, 40, 41, 42 fatigue,17, 21, 22, 31, 34, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 depression,48, 49 anxiety,48, 49, 50 sleep problems,48, 49, 50, 51 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN),31, 52, 53,…”

Zinc deficiency and its association with treatment‐related toxicity in children with cancer

“…Nutrition is now a major focus of care in pediatric oncology, and the Children's Oncology Group (COG) continues to pursue clinical studies to develop evidence‐based guidelines for nutritional assessment and intervention 13,43 . Children with cancer are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition due to increased energy needs during illness and treatment with resultant substrate depletion, as well as maintenance needs throughout the growth period.…”