Evidence-based integrative oncology
Using complementary approaches with real evidence, such as acupuncture for nausea and pain, yoga and mindfulness for anxiety and fatigue, alongside standard treatment, while steering patients away from unproven 'alternative' therapies that can shorten life.
Integrative oncology combines conventional treatment with mind-body practices, acupuncture, massage, music therapy, exercise and nutrition guidance. SIO-ASCO guidelines (2018 breast; 2022 pain; 2023 anxiety and depression; 2024 fatigue) endorse acupuncture (aromatase-inhibitor arthralgia, S1200 trial; CINV; pain), yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi/qigong, music therapy, hypnosis and massage for specific symptoms, and advise against most supplements during treatment because of interactions and lack of benefit (antioxidants may worsen outcomes, DELCaP). Use of alternative medicine instead of conventional treatment doubles mortality (Johnson, JNCI 2018). Major centres (MSK, MD Anderson, Dana-Farber) run integrative programmes and MSK's 'About Herbs' database documents interactions.
How it works
Apply the same evidentiary standards to complementary therapies as to drugs, offering those with randomised support for symptom control while communicating openly about the ~40% of patients who use supplements or alternative therapies.
- Randomised evidence for acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness and music therapy in symptom control
- Low risk, patient demand high
- Guidelines from SIO-ASCO give clinicians a basis
- Supplement-drug interactions and antioxidant harm
- Alternative-medicine refusal of treatment shortens survival
- Reimbursement and access uneven
Latest papers
topQuery for this technology: (TITLE:"Evidence-based integrative oncology" OR ABSTRACT:"Evidence-based integrative oncology") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Evidence-based integrative oncology, not a curated reading list.