Women, older patients with sarcoma more likely to use complementary medicine

MUNICH — The use of complementary and alternative medicine for sarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors or desmoid tumors appeared more common among women and older patients, according to study results presented at European Society for Medical Oncology Congress.

“[Patients] describe this as an effective complement to conventional medicine, but many patients report that they are not sufficiently informed about risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine,” Kiagenda Trésor Sungu-Winkler, of the division of surgical oncology and thoracic surgery at University of Heidelberg and Medical Faculty Mannheim in Germany, and colleagues wrote. “They are also dissatisfied with the reimbursement of complementary and alternative medicine costs by health insurances.”

Sungu-Winkler and colleagues examined use of complementary and alternative medicine among 325 patients (mean age, 53 years; 50% women, 47% men and 3% not specified) receiving outpatient treatment at a sarcoma center for biopsy-proven sarcoma (59%), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (23%) or desmoid tumors (18%).

Patients received a cross-sectional survey that explored sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related characteristics, as well as the types and modes of complementary and alternative medicine they used.

For the purpose of this study, researchers considered complementary and alternative medicine as a broad range of practices including vitamin supplements or minerals, Chinese or healing herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, tai chi or changes in dietary habits, such as switching to a ketogenic or vegan diet.

Approximately one-third (35%) of patients reported an interest in complementary and alternative medicine for a long time, whereas 44% reported such an interest after their cancer diagnosis.

Women were more likely than men to use these approaches, and older patients were more likely to do so than younger patients.

Slightly more than half (51%) of patients with sarcoma reported complementary and alternative medicine use; of these, 12% used complementary and alternative medicine immediately before their cancer diagnosis, 24% reported current use of naturopathic medicine, and 15% used complementary and alternative medicine only during their treatment course.

The primary reasons patients reported using complementary or alternative medicine was to boost the immune system (78%), feel better (76%), cope with cancer treatment (45%), reduce stress (53%), or reduce symptoms and side effects (36%).

Fewer than 30% of patients reported using vitamin and mineral supplements, the most common of which was vitamin D.

Among patients who reported using complementary and alternative medicine, researchers observed a balance between use of herbal medicine and homeopathic approaches (32% each).

“The high proportions of patients using complementary and alternative medicine that could interfere with oncological drugs via competitive pathways warrants more detailed investigations,” the researchers wrote. – by Jennifer Southall

Reference:

Sungu-Winkler KT, et al. Abstract 1655P_PR. Presented at: European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; Oct. 19-23, 2018; Munich.

Disclosures: The study was funded by EU-FP7 EUROSARC. The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.