Complementary and alternative medicine therapies in pediatric oncology patients

Complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) therapies are commonly used by pediatric oncology patients. CAM therapies may be divided into four categories: biochemical, lifestyle, biomechanical, and bioenergetic. Surveys within the past decade estimate the prevalence of CAM use in pediatric oncology to be 31 to 87%, and in many cases the treating physician is unaware of the patients' CAM use. It is thus important to systematically ask patients and their parents about CAM therapies. Reliable resources are available for families and health care providers. Open, respectful communication, even in the absence of evidence, is crucial in both helping and protecting patients, and in avoiding conflicts.