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Recent Advances in Oncology Acupuncture and Safety Considerations in Practice

  • Integrative Oncology
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Current Treatment Options in Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

Oncology acupuncture is a new and emerging field of research. Recent advances from published clinical trials have added evidence to support the use of acupuncture for symptom management in cancer patients. Recent new developments include (1) pain and dysfunction after neck dissection; (2) radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer; (3) aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia in breast cancer; (4) hot flashes in breast cancer and prostate cancer; and (5) chemotherapyinduced neutropenia in ovarian cancer. Some interventions are becoming a non-pharmaceutical option for cancer patients, while others still require further validation and confirmation. Meanwhile, owing to the rapid development of the field and increased demands from cancer patients, safety issues concerning oncology acupuncture practice have become imperative. Patients with cancer may be at higher risk developing adverse reactions from acupuncture. Practical strategies for enhancing safety measures are discussed and recommended.

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References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Acknowledgment

Supported by The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), Grant Number: 5K01AT004415.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, SW560, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Weidong Lu MB, MPH, PhD & David S. Rosenthal MD

  2. Osher Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Weidong Lu MB, MPH, PhD

Authors
  1. Weidong Lu MB, MPH, PhD
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  2. David S. Rosenthal MD
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Correspondence to Weidong Lu MB, MPH, PhD.

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Lu, W., Rosenthal, D.S. Recent Advances in Oncology Acupuncture and Safety Considerations in Practice. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 11, 141–146 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-010-0126-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-010-0126-0

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