Cancer is one of the leading killers in the world and the incidence is increasing, but most cancer patients and cancer survivors suffer much from the disease and its conventional treatments' side effects. In the past, clinical data showed that some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) possessed anticancer abilities, but some clinicians and scientists have queried about the scientific validity of CAM due to the lack of scientific evidence. There is great demand in narrowing the knowledge gap to explore the scientific and evidence-based knowledge of CAM in the anticancer field. With this aim, an unparalleled undertaking of a book series is launched to structurally consolidate this area.

Although acupuncture and moxibustion have been practiced for millennia, they have come under scientific investigation only recently. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been used clinically to treat cancer-related symptoms (e.g. cancer pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia), manage treatment-induced side effects (e.g. hot flashes, nausea and vomiting) and enhance immunity (e.g. blood cell count, lymphocyte and natural killer cell activity). This is the first book manages to provide comprehensive and updated scientific evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention for cancer care. Laboratory and animal studies have uncovered the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer therapy. Promising results of most clinical trials show the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in cancer management. This book consists of fifteen chapters which address a range of important aspects that will impact on the application of acupuncture and moxibustion. An overview of the safety and side effects of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer care are also covered. In addition, the integration of acupuncture with Western medicine in cancer treatment and recent clinical trials are included as well.

Opinion leaders around theworld have teamed up to pursue a thorough and up-to-date review of the area, this volume will contribute great to the cancer, clinical and academic community by providing evidence-based information on the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion as an anticancer therapy.

Inhalt

Prelims.- 1 An Overview of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Cancer Care.- 2 The Mechanistic Studies of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.- 3 Acupuncture for Cancer Pain.- 4 Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Cancer Patients.- 5 Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Cancer-related Symptoms.- 6 Use of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Control of Anticancer Therapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting.- 7 Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients.- 8 Acupuncture for the Treatment of Symptoms Associated with Radiation Therapy.- 9 Quality of Life of Cancer Patients after Acupuncture and Moxibution Treatment.- 10 Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Palliative and Supportive Cancer Care.- 11 Is Acupuncture or Moxibustion Better Than a Sham or Placebo-treatment?-12 Safety and Side Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion as a Therapy for Cancer.- 13 Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Animal Models of Cancer.- 14 Integrating Acupuncture with Western Medicine in Cancer Treatment.- 15 Recent Clinical Trials of Acupuncture for Cancer Patients. Index.