Ernst E
School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK.
Med J Aust. 2001 Jan 15;174(2):88-92. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143161.x.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by cancer patients, and many oncologists have limited knowledge of CAM. This article provides a brief, evidence-based introduction to several CAM treatments relevant in the context of cancer. "Alternative" diets, chiropractic, coffee enemas, ozone therapy, and shark cartilage seem to have little to offer cancer patients. The evidence for or against homoeopathy and spiritual healing is at present inconclusive. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and meditation may be useful for nausea/vomiting, for mild relaxation, and for pain/anxiety, respectively. Herbal treatments offer no reasonable prospect of a cure (mistletoe), but could be useful as palliative treatments (eg, for depression [St John's wort] or anxiety [kava]). Our knowledge regarding the potential benefit and harm of CAM is insufficient.
癌症患者经常使用补充和替代医学（CAM），而许多肿瘤学家对CAM的了解有限。本文对癌症背景下几种相关的CAM疗法进行了简要的循证介绍。“替代”饮食、整脊疗法、咖啡灌肠、臭氧疗法和鲨鱼软骨似乎对癌症患者帮助不大。支持或反对顺势疗法和心灵治疗的证据目前尚无定论。针灸、芳香疗法和冥想可能分别对恶心/呕吐、轻度放松以及疼痛/焦虑有用。草药治疗没有治愈的合理前景（如槲寄生），但可用作姑息治疗（如用于治疗抑郁症[圣约翰草]或焦虑症[卡瓦根]）。我们对CAM潜在益处和危害的了解不足。
