Rahul Hajare

Abstract

Acupuncture in cancer care with intermediate outcomes among really feasible and attractive therapeutic option. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used by cancer patients. Recent randomized controlled trials showed that acupuncture is safe, effective and feasible for the management of cancer- related fatigue and other adverse events of anti-neoplastic therapies.

Since November 2020, author has been offering a supportive care program of 20 minutes weekly session of acupuncture for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, hot flashes, cancer- related fatigue and xerostomia. A brochure regarding indications and techniques was offered to all cancer patients who received a systemic antiblastic therapy (chemotherapy, target therapy and endocrine treatment) and/or radiation therapy.

More than 500 patients affected by solid tumours or lymphoma were treated in our operative unit during the period of the project. None of them preferred to receive acupuncture in addition to the specific pharmacological treatment.