Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Acupuncture for the Side Effects of Cancer Treatments

  • Chapter
Integrative Oncology

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Oncology ((CCO))

  • 921 Accesses

Abstract

Johns Hopkins introduced acupuncture in The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in September 2005 to provide an expanded service for our Complementary and Integrative Medicine Center. The current goal of our acupuncture service is predominately to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment. In this chapter, we briefly review current biomedical treatments and any available data on the role of acupuncture for common side effects of cancer therapy, that is, oral mucositis, peripheral neuropathy, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue. The need for integrative cancer care requires good clinical trials to evaluate the possible clinical benefits of acupuncture and to investigate its underlying mechanism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Sun CC, Ramirez PT, Bodurka DC. Quality of life for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Nat Clin Pract Oncol Jan 2007;4(1):18–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Vistad I, Fossa SD, Dahl AA. A critical review of patient-rated quality of life studies of long-term survivors of cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol Sep 2006;102(3):563–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Scalliet PG, Remouchamps V, Curran D, et al. Retrospective analysis of results of p(65)+Be neutron therapy for treatment of prostate adenocarcinoma at the cyclotron of Louvain-la-Leuve. Part II: Side effects and their influence on quality of life measured with QLQ-C30 of EORTC. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Apr 1 2004;58(5):1549–1561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lu W. Acupuncture for side effects of chemoradiation therapy in cancer patients. Semin Oncol Nurs Aug 2005;21(3):190–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cohen AJ, Menter A, Hale L. Acupuncture: role in comprehensive cancer care–a primer for the oncologist and review of the literature. Integr Cancer Ther Jun 2005;4(2): 131–143.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Stokman MA, Spijkervet FK, Boezen HM, Schouten JP, Roodenburg JL, de Vries EG. Preventive intervention possibilities in radiotherapy- and chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: results of meta-analyses. J Dent Res Aug 2006;85(8):690–700.

    Google Scholar 

  7. National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria available. http://ctep.cancer.gov/forms/CTCAEv3.pdf. Accessed September 12, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Trotti A, Bellm LA, Epstein JB, et al. Mucositis incidence, severity and associated outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy: a systematic literature review. Radiother Oncol Mar 2003;66(3):253–262.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Stiff P. Mucositis associated with stem cell transplantation: current status and innovative approaches to management. Bone Marrow Transplant May 2001;27 Suppl 2: S3–S11.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Raber-Durlacher JE, Weijl NI, Abu Saris M, de Koning B, Zwinderman AH, Osanto S. Oral mucositis in patients treated with chemotherapy for solid tumors: a retrospective analysis of 150 cases. Support Care Cancer Sep 2000;8(5):366–371.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Wardley AM, Jayson GC, Swindell R, et al. Prospective evaluation of oral mucositis in patients receiving myeloablative conditioning regimens and haemopoietic progenitor rescue. Br J Haematol Aug 2000;110(2):292–299.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Sonis ST. The pathobiology of mucositis. Nat Rev Cancer Apr 2004;4(4):277–284.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Spielberger R, Stiff P, Bensinger W, et al. Palifermin for oral mucositis after intensive therapy for hematologic cancers. N Engl J Med Dec 16 2004;351(25):2590–2598.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Beaven AW, Shea TC. Palifermin: a keratinocyte growth factor that reduces oral mucositis after stem cell transplant for haematological malignancies. Expert Opin Pharmacother Nov 2006;7(16):2287–2299.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Radtke ML, Kolesar JM. Palifermin (Kepivance) for the treatment of oral mucositis in patients with hematologic malignancies requiring hematopoietic stem cell support. J Oncol Pharm Pract Sep 2005;11(3):121–125.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Safety&Tolerability. http://www.kepivance.com/kepivance/safety_tolerability.jsp. Accessed August 29, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  17. McDonnell AM, Lenz KL. Palifermin: role in the prevention of chemotherapy- and radiation-induced mucositis. Ann Pharmacother Jan 2007;41(1):86–94.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Eden OB. Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002(1):CD001973.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Coda BA, O’Sullivan B, Donaldson G, Bohl S, Chapman CR, Shen DD. Comparative efficacy of patient-controlled administration of morphine, hydromorphone, or sufentanil for the treatment of oral mucositis pain following bone marrow transplantation. Pain Sep 1997;72(3):333–346.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cerchietti LC, Navigante AH, Bonomi MR, et al. Effect of topical morphine for mucositis-associated pain following concomitant chemoradiotherapy for head and neck carcinoma. Cancer Nov 15 2002;95(10):2230–2236.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Walder B, Schafer M, Henzi I, Tramer MR. Efficacy and safety of patient-controlled opioid analgesia for acute postoperative pain. A quantitative systematic review. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Aug 2001;45(7):795–804.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Zijlstra FJ, van den Berg-de Lange I, Huygen FJ, Klein J. Anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture. Mediators Inflamm Apr 2003;12(2):59–69.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kim DH. Saam Doin Chimbeop. 4 ed. Pusan: Sogang Press; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kim KJ. Woloh Saam Ohaeng Chimbeop. 2 ed. Seoul: Iljungsa; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Zhang E. Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Shanghai: Publishing House of Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Maciocia G. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. New York: Churchill Livingstone; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Park J, White A, Stevinson C, Ernst E, James M. Validating a new non-penetrating sham acupuncture device: two randomised controlled trials. Acupunct Med Dec 2002;20(4):168–174.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Forman A. Peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: clinical types, etiology, and presentation. Part 2. Oncology (Williston Park). Feb 1990;4(2):85–89.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Polomano RC, Farrar JT. Pain and neuropathy in cancer survivors. Cancer Nurs Mar–Apr 2006;29(2 Suppl):39–47.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Stillman M, Cata JP. Management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Curr Pain Headache Rep Aug 2006;10(4):279–287.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Forman A. Peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: incidence, features, and pathophysiology. Oncology (Williston Park). Jan 1990;4(1):57–62 concl.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Forman AD. Peripheral neuropathy and cancer. Curr Oncol Rep Jan 2004;6(1):20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Armstrong T, Almadrones L, Gilbert MR. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oncol Nurs Forum Mar 2005;32(2):305–311.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wong R, Sagar S. Acupuncture treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy–a case series. Acupunct Med Jun 2006;24(2):87–91.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Alimi D, Rubino C, Pichard-Leandri E, Fermand-Brule S, Dubreuil-Lemaire ML, Hill C. Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial. J Clin Oncol Nov 15 2003;21(22):4120–4126.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Abuaisha BB, Costanzi JB, Boulton AJ. Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy: a long-term study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract Feb 1998;39(2):115–121.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Phillips KD, Skelton WD, Hand GA. Effect of acupuncture administered in a group setting on pain and subjective peripheral neuropathy in persons with human immunodeficiency virus disease. J Altern Complement Med Jun 2004;10(3):449–455.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Shlay JC, Chaloner K, Max MB, et al. Acupuncture and amitriptyline for pain due to HIV-related peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial. Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS. JAMA Nov 11 1998;280(18):1590–1595.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Jordan K, Kasper C, Schmoll HJ. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: current and new standards in the antiemetic prophylaxis and treatment. Eur J Cancer Jan 2005;41(2):199–205.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hesketh PJ. Comparative review of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Cancer Invest 2000;18(2):163–173.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Guerra MC. Acupuncture for refractory cases of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Med Acupunct 2004;16(1):40–42.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kris MG, Hesketh PJ, Somerfield MR, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline for Antiemetics in Oncology: Update 2006. J Clin Oncol Jun 20 2006;24(18):2932–2947.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Grunberg SM, Deuson RR, Mavros P, et al. Incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis after modern antiemetics. Cancer May 15 2004;100(10):2261–2268.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Ihbe-Heffinger A, Ehlken B, Bernard R, et al. The impact of delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on patients, health resource utilization and costs in German cancer centers. Ann Oncol Mar 2004;15(3):526–536.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Dundee JW, Ghaly RG, Fitzpatrick KT, Lynch GA, Abram WP. Acupuncture to prevent cisplatin-associated vomiting. Lancet May 9 1987;1(8541):1083.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Dundee JW, Ghaly RG, Fitzpatrick KT, Abram WP, Lynch GA. Acupuncture prophylaxis of cancer chemotherapy-induced sickness. J R Soc Med May 1989;82(5):268–271.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Dundee JW, McMillan CM. Clinical uses of P6 acupuncture antiemesis. Acupunct Electrother Res 1990;15(3–4):211–215.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Dundee JW, Yang J. Prolongation of the antiemetic action of P6 acupuncture by acupressure in patients having cancer chemotherapy. J R Soc Med Jun 1990;83(6):360–362.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Dundee JW, Yang J, McMillan C. Non-invasive stimulation of the P6 (Neiguan) antiemetic acupuncture point in cancer chemotherapy. J R Soc Med Apr 1991;84(4):210–212.

    Google Scholar 

  50. NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA Nov 4 1998;280(17):1518–1524.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Ezzo JM, Richardson MA, Vickers A, et al. Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006(2):CD002285.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Streitberger K, Ezzo J, Schneider A. Acupuncture for nausea and vomiting: an update of clinical and experimental studies. Auton Neurosci Oct 30 2006;129(1–2):107–117.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Vogelzang NJ, Breitbart W, Cella D, et al. Patient, caregiver, and oncologist perceptions of cancer-related fatigue: results of a tripart assessment survey. The Fatigue Coalition. Semin Hematol Jul 1997;34(3 Suppl 2):4–12.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Madden J, Newton S. Why am I so tired all the time? Understanding cancer-related fatigue. Clin J Oncol Nurs Oct 2006;10(5):659–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Mitchell SA, Berger AM. Cancer-related fatigue: the evidence base for assessment and management. Cancer J Sep–Oct 2006;12(5):374–387.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Vickers AJ, Straus DJ, Fearon B, Cassileth BR. Acupuncture for postchemotherapy fatigue: a phase II study. J Clin Oncol May 1 2004;22(9):1731–1735.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Yuemei L, Hongping L, Shulan F, Dongfang G. The therapeutic effects of electrical acupuncture and auricular-plaster in 32 cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med Sep 2006;26(3):163–164.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Wang Q, Xiong JX. Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi Sep 2005;25(9):834–836.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Mears T. Acupuncture in the treatment of post viral fatigue syndrome–a case report. Acupunct Med Sep 2005;23(3):141–145.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Li P, Cheng Z, Du X. Management of Cancer with Chinese Medicine. Mao S, Bao L, trans. Albans: Donica Publishing Ltd; 2003:189–208.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Medicine and Oncology, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 328, Baltimore, MD 21287

    Adrian S. Dobs

Authors
  1. Sanghoon Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kathleen Menten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adrian S. Dobs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Director, Integrative Medicine Program Departments of Behavioral Science and Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030–4009, USA

    Lorenzo Cohen PhD

  2. Vice President for Clinical Research Professor of Medicine Chairman, Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030–4009, USA

    Maurie Markman MD

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Humana Press

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lee, S., Menten, K., Dobs, A.S. (2008). Acupuncture for the Side Effects of Cancer Treatments. In: Cohen, L., Markman, M. (eds) Integrative Oncology. Current Clinical Oncology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-183-3_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-183-3_13

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-869-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-183-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation