HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE COVER ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME: Take the course for this article: QUIZ 1 WORKSHEET: Integrative Oncology Submit a letter to the editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Deng, G. Articles by Cassileth, B. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Deng, G. Articles by Cassileth, B. R.

Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies for Pain, Anxiety, and Mood Disturbance

Dr. Deng is Assistant Attending, Assistant Member, Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Dr. Cassileth is Chief, Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.

The term "complementary and alternative methods" (CAM) refers to products and regimens that individuals may employ either to enhance wellness, relieve symptoms of disease and side effects of conventional treatments, or cure disease.CAMarticles provide evidence-based information on promising complementary and alternative methods, and inform clinicians of methods that may harm patients.

Many people with cancer experience pain, anxiety, and mood disturbance. Conventional treatments do not always satisfactorily relieve these symptoms, and some patients may not be able to tolerate their side effects. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, mind-body techniques, massage, and other methods can help relieve symptoms and improve physical and mental well-being. Self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques help reduce procedural pain. Acupuncture is well documented to relieve chronic cancer pain. Massage and meditation improve anxiety and other symptoms of distress. Many dietary supplements contain biologically active constituents with effects on mood. However, not all complementary therapies are appropriate or useful, and even helpful complementary modalities may not be optimal under some circumstances. Situations when precaution is indicated include acute onset of symptoms and severe symptoms, which require immediate mainstream intervention. Dietary supplements are associated with serious negative consequences under some circumstances. The authors summarize the research on these modalities and discuss the rationale, expectation, and necessary precautions involved with combining complementary therapies and mainstream care. Practical clinical issues are addressed.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Brazier, K. Cooke, and V. Moravan Using Mixed Methods for Evaluating an Integrative Approach to Cancer Care: A Case Study Integr Cancer Ther, March 1, 2008; 7(1): 5 - 17. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Lev-ari, Y. Maimon, and N. Yaal-Hahoshen Long-term Survival of a Patient With Widespread Metastases From Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Receiving Mind-Body Therapies: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Integr Cancer Ther, December 1, 2006; 5(4): 395 - 399. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Tascilar, F. A. de Jong, J. Verweij, and R. H. J. Mathijssen Complementary and Alternative Medicine During Cancer Treatment: Beyond Innocence Oncologist, July 1, 2006; 11(7): 732 - 741. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Menefee and D. A. Monti Nonpharmacologic and Complementary Approaches to Cancer Pain Management J Am Osteopath Assoc, November 1, 2005; 105(suppl_5): S15 - S20. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]