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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 11/2010

01-11-2010 | Short Communication

The safety of acupuncture in children and adolescents with cancer therapy-related thrombocytopenia

Authors: Elena J. Ladas, Diane Rooney, Katherine Taromina, Deborah H. Ndao, Kara M. Kelly

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 11/2010

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Abstract

Purpose

Acupuncture is frequently used to manage the side effects associated with cancer therapy. In acupuncture practice, the presence of thrombocytopenia is a relative contraindication to acupuncture use among patients with cancer. However, the safety of acupuncture in patients with cancer treatment-related thrombocytopenia has not been previously investigated.

Methods

Medical records of 32 patients receiving acupuncture at an academic medical center with an established acupuncture program during treatment for cancer or during stem cell transplantation were reviewed.

Results

Of 237 acupuncture sessions, 20%, 8%, and 19% of the sessions were administered to patients with severe, moderate, and mild thrombocytopenia, respectively. No bleeding side effects were observed.

Conclusions

This retrospective case series provides descriptive data on the safety of acupuncture using Japanese J-type Seirin needles, with mild manual stimulation administered at 0.5-cun depth in patients with cancer with and without thrombocytopenia. Prospective trials are needed to confirm these initial observations.
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Metadata
Title
The safety of acupuncture in children and adolescents with cancer therapy-related thrombocytopenia
Authors
Elena J. Ladas
Diane Rooney
Katherine Taromina
Deborah H. Ndao
Kara M. Kelly
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 11/2010
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0926-6

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