A Short Review: Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Lung Cancer

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a growing field that has started to integrate itself into the management of many diseases and disorders, including cancer. As more patients continue to incorporate the use of CAM into their treatment plans, it is important to understand the mechanism and clinical effectiveness of CAM. This review focuses on the role of CAM in lung cancer, including the available research trials that have focused on evaluating symptom control, quality of life, and survival rates in lung cancer patients. We have also reviewed the potential risks and benefits of several CAM medications as well as the future direction of this field.