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Acupuncture for the Treatment of Symptoms Associated with Radiation Therapy

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Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer

Part of the book series: Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine ((ACAM,volume 3))

Abstract

Radiation therapy (RT) is the standard therapy for many cancers. This chapter summarizes the various effects of RT on different tissues of the body and presents considerations for the use of acupuncture as an integrated treatment for symptoms referable to RT in terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. Many common side effects of RT are presented, including xerostomia, skin irritation and burns, nausea, vomiting, neutropenia and fatigue. The mechanisms of acupuncture's effects are discussed, including increase of fibroblast, decrease of inflammatory cytokines, as well as increase of T lymphocytes, adenosine, neuropeptides, opioid peptides and peptide hormones. A brief explanation is given on how TCM theory is applied to enhance a patient’s overall wellness from both the TCM and Western medical perspectives. The concept of “symptom clusters” is addressed, showing how TCM is well-suited for this phenomenon. Acupuncture may be used as a safe adjunct to help preventing and minimizing the side effects of RT, enabling cancer patients to continue and complete their RT on schedule.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, 357 S. Landmark Ave. Suite B Bloomington, IN, 47403, Indianapolis, USA

    Jennifer A. Stone

  2. Indiana University, 357 S. Landmark Ave. Suite B, IN, 47403, Bloomington, USA

    Sarah C. Greene

  3. Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, 535 Barnhill Drive RT041 ndianapolis, IN, 46202, Indianapolis, USA

    Peter Johnstone

Authors
  1. Jennifer A. Stone
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  2. Sarah C. Greene
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  3. Peter Johnstone
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer A. Stone .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

    William C.S. Cho

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Stone, J.A., Greene, S.C., Johnstone, P. (2012). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Symptoms Associated with Radiation Therapy. In: Cho, W. (eds) Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer. Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4833-0_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4833-0_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4832-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4833-0

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