Integrative oncology imperative for nurses.

Objectives: To provide an overview of key issues and resources related to complementary and alternative medical (CAM) and integrative approaches in cancer care.

Data Sources: Peer-reviewed publications and web sites of professional, federal, and academic institutions and organizations.

Conclusion: The field of integrative oncology is growing and research evidence in this area is burgeoning.

The marriage of conventional cancer treatments and alternative cancer therapies.

The terms "alternative" or "unconventional" have been used to describe any therapy used instead of conventional approaches. Conventional approaches, known as "standard" or "traditional" or "biomedical" approaches, have had broad application in Western medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine has been referred to as "integrative," "integrated," or "complementary" when therapies are combined with conventional approaches, such as those for cancer.

Measuring the maintenance of daily life activities using the functional living index-emesis (FLIE) in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

Healthcare providers believe they have a positive impact on controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), yet patients still consider CINV to be one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. The effect of CINV on daily activities has been measured using the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) scale, a validated, nausea- and vomiting-specific, patient-reported outcome instrument comprising nine items in each of two domains. This research explores the potential correlation between reducing CINV and improved quality of life.

Glutamine: indicated in cancer care?

Glutamine is a nonessential amino acid contained in most dietary proteins and provides immune functions and fuel for the small intestine. For healthy people, dietary glutamine (from protein) usually is considered adequate. Results of research evaluating the potential benefits of glutamine during cancer therapy are encouraging but remain inconclusive.