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Published on: January 19, 2019
Complementary biochemical therapies in pediatric oncology
Thomas W McLean1, Kathi J Kemper
1Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. tmclean@wfubmc.edu
Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology
|May 16, 2009
Summary
Many pediatric oncology patients use herbs, vitamins, and supplements (CAM) alongside cancer treatment. However, evidence for their effectiveness and safety is limited, despite potential benefits.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Background:
- Pediatric oncology patients frequently use herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
- These biochemical products are utilized for cancer prevention, treatment, and managing side effects of conventional therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in pediatric oncology.
- To review the existing research on the use of biochemical products in childhood cancer care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on CAM therapies in pediatric oncology.
- Analysis of documented side effects and drug interactions.
Main Results:
- Widespread use of CAM therapies does not correlate with proven efficacy.
- High-quality research on the safety and efficacy of most CAM products is scarce.
- Potential for side effects and interactions with conventional cancer medications is a significant concern.
Conclusions:
- Despite limited high-quality evidence, biochemical complementary therapies show promise in pediatric oncology.
- Further rigorous research is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of CAM in this patient population.
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