Acupuncture in Cancer Care: Is it a Really Feasible and Attractive Therapeutic Option? A Single-Centre Experience

Background: Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used by cancer patients (pts). Recent randomised 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. Materials and Methods: Since November 2012 we have 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, xerostomia. A brochure regarding indications and techniques was offered to all cancer patients who received a systemic anticlastic therapy (Chemotherapy, Target Therapy, Endocrine Treatment) and/or radiation therapy. Results: More than 500 pts 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. Conclusion: Cancer pts of the district of Belluno, Italy did not demonstrate any interest in acupuncture for the management of side effects of anti-neoplastic treatments.