Effect of complementary and alternative medicine during radiotherapy on radiation toxicity

Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Melek Gamze AksuAylin Fidan Korcum

Abstract

To examine the frequency and types of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients undergoing radiotherapy and to analyze the effects these therapies have on the toxicities of radiotherapy. A total of 210 consecutive cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy were included. After radiation therapy, each patient completed a standard questionnaire, and the association between radiation toxicity and complementary and alternative medicine use was analyzed. Among the study population, 44.3% of patients reported using at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine during radiotherapy. The most commonly chosen complementary and alternative medicine was stinging nettle. Complementary and alternative medicine use decreased lower gastrointestinal (F = 3.26, P = .009) and genitourinary toxicities (F = 2.38, P = .043), while it increased laryngeal toxicity (F = 2.63, P = .028). A significant correlation between the type of complementary and alternative medicine used and the degree of these toxicities was not demonstrated. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients during radiation therapy may affect the degree of radiation toxicity. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are needed t...Continue Reading

References

Mar 30, 1995·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·J D CoxT F Pajak
Jul 13, 2000·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·M A RichardsonS E Singletary
Oct 5, 2001·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·M SamurB Savas
Dec 3, 2002·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Anthony V D'AmicoPeter J Marks
Apr 16, 2003·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Oliver MickeJens Büntzel
Oct 31, 2003·Cancer Treatment Reviews·Diane M F SavareseBarbara Corey
Feb 16, 2005·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Jennifer S YatesLauren K Colman
Mar 31, 2005·Phytotherapy Research : PTR·Rajesh AroraRakesh Kumar Sharma
Jul 20, 2005·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Isabelle BairatiJean Roy
Jan 13, 2006·Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice·Alexander MolassiotisAnita Margulies
Oct 7, 2006·American Journal of Clinical Oncology·Anu B SwarupAbdul Rahman Jazieh
May 19, 2007·Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology·Julia E ChrubasikSigrun Chrubasik

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 29, 2011·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Eran Ben-AryeElad Schiff
Jan 21, 2014·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Darren HunterSuki Gill
Oct 9, 2015·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Darren HunterRichard Oates
Feb 25, 2020·The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·Grady KaiserKaren T Snider
Apr 19, 2011·Integrative Cancer Therapies·Chun-Ru ChienYa-Chen Tina Shih
Apr 19, 2011·Integrative Cancer Therapies·Christina BocockJudy Trevena
Mar 6, 2009·Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Apr 14, 2009·Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.