Integrative therapies for children with hematological malignancies

Abstract

Evidence for integrative therapies (IT) in children with hematological malignancies is slowly evolving. The ideal model of integrative pediatric oncology would offer IT modalities that are deemed safe and effective in conjunction with effective conventional medical treatments. Because of potential interactions, herbs and other dietary supplements should be used with caution, especially during active therapy. Health and wellness should be the emphasis, with IT therapies supporting health promotion and key disease prevention strategies for childhood cancer survivors. All uses, responses, and effects of IT therapies should be carefully documented. A desire to use IT therapies may be an effort to become an active participant in the healing process. Health care providers should encourage, not discourage, this partnership.

Integrative Therapy Use for Management of Side Effects and Toxicities Experienced by Pediatric Oncology Patients

“…Many herbs and biologic therapies are in use by patients with cancer and other disorders, and a full review of all potential biologic therapies is beyond the scope of this paper. Other reviews have examined some of these therapies in more detail [ 11 , 42 , 72 , 73 , 74 ]. Below are described select agents with evidence of effectiveness in symptom management or evidence of potential harm [ 75 ].…”

“…Integration of IT into pediatric oncology, even as an adjunct for symptom management, is controversial. The evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of herbal and biologic treatments alongside or even following chemotherapy is lacking, the herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and systematic reporting is not legally mandated [ 72 ]. As mentioned above, there have been reports of heavy metal and microbial contamination of TCM herbs [ 109 ].…”

Predictors of acupuncture use among children and adolescents with cancer

“…A nationwide survey found that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adults has significantly increased in the past 5 years, and one in nine children have used some form of CAM therapy during the past 12 months . In pediatric oncology, surveys have found that up to 91% of children with cancer use CAM alongside conventional medicine . Many parents and their children use CAM to alleviate cancer symptoms, help manage the side effects of cancer therapy, augment the efficacy of conventional medications, and improve quality of life …”

Use of Herbs or Nutrient Supplements as a Complementary and Traditional Medicine Product in Pediatric Hematology Patients

“…Tamamlayıcı ve geleneksel tıp (TGT), modern tıbbi tedavinin yanında tedavi başarısının artırılması ve yan etkilerin azaltılması için besinlerin, fiziksel uygulamaların veya dini yöntemlerin kullanılmasıdır (1,2). Çocukluk çağı döneminde kanser tanısı almış hastalarda TGT tedavileri kullanım sıklığı %31 -84 arasında bildirilmektedir (3).…”

“…Kanser dışında astım, diabetes mellitus, epilepsi, orak hücreli anemi ve talasemi gibi kronik hastalarda da aileler TGT tedavilerine başvurabilmektedir (4). TGT tedavileri içinde en sık kullanılanlar bitkisel tedaviler ve besin desteği (şifalı otlar, hayvansal ürünler, vitaminler, konsantre yiyecekler gibi) olarak bilinmektedir (2). TGT amacıyla kullanılan ürünlerin çeşitliliği toplumlara göre büyük farklılıklar göstermektedir (5)(6)(7)(8).…”