Date Last Updated: 08/08/06
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Does homoeopathy help reduce the side effects of treatment for cancer?

Treatment in brief
Homoeopathic treatment involves giving extremely small doses of a substance (called a ‘remedy’) that, if given to a healthy person in larger doses, will cause the same or similar symptoms. A recent survey (Molassiotis, Fernadez-Ortega et al. 2005) has shown that homoeopathy is one of the most commonly used complementary therapies for cancer. As a complementary treatment, homoeopathy is used mainly to strengthen the body, improve well-being and to relieve symptoms caused by the disease or the treatment. (Milazzo, Russell et al. 2006)

The condition
Cancer is a common cause of death in developed countries. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments can have side effects that are enough that the person may stop their treatment. Side effects from radiotherapy include tiredness, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, weight loss, reddened hot sensitive skin, pigmented skin, menopause-like symptoms, and emotional symptoms. Chemotherapy side effects include fatigue, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, constipation, hair loss, mouth ulcers and dry, pigmented or sunlight sensitive skin. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/default.asp

Background
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine developed in the late 1700s in Germany by Samuel Hahnemann. It involves giving extremely small doses of a substance (called a ‘remedy’) that, if given to a healthy person in larger doses, will cause the same or similar symptoms. This is the principle of ‘similars’ or ‘like cures like’. Most homoeopathic remedies come from plants, minerals or animals. (Vickers and Zollman 1999)

These remedies are prepared by serial dilution and vigorous shaking (called ‘succusion’). This is called ‘potentization’ and the more times the dilution and shaking is done, the more potent the remedy. The final remedy can be so dilute that no part of the original substance may be present. There are several theories on how these remedies may work. (Micozzi 2001) The remedies may consist of a single substance or a combination of different ones.

Which homoeopathic treatment is selected is based on a ‘holistic’ or whole picture of the person and their symptoms, not just the symptoms of the illness. Various aspects of the person are considered including their lifestyle, emotions, mental state and nutrition.

The evidence
The evidence is limited and the quality is variable. There were only six studies identified and they focus on only a few side effects of cancer treatment. There is a possibility of publication bias.

For  the treatment of side-effects of radiotherapy, one study (Kulkarni, Nagarkar et al. 1988) found that the reaction to radiotherapy was less in the homoeopathy treatment group. However, this study was judged to be of poor quality so its conclusions must be interpreted with caution.

For the treatment of chemotherapy-induced mouth ulcers, the results from two studies (Oberbaum 1998; Oberbaum, Yaniv et al. 2001) suggest some benefit of homoeopathy in reducing their severity and duration.

Another study (Balzarini, Felisi et al. 2000) found that homoeopathic treatment for skin reactions to radiotherapy reduced the total severity of skin reactions during recovery. There was also a suggestion of some lessening of heat and decrease of pigmentation at times during the radiotherapy treatment.

Two studies (Jacobs, Herman et al. 2005; Thompson, Montgomery et al. 2005) of homoeopathic treatment of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors found no effect on severity or frequency of hot flushes. However, one of these studies found an improvement in general health after one year. In a subgroup of this study, there was an increase in number and severity of hot flushes taking the combination remedy (‘Hyland’s menopause’) and an increase in the number of headaches.

Other important issues
One study found 4.4% of people with cancer taking homoeopathic remedies had side effects. (Molassiotis, Fernadez-Ortega et al. 2005) These were reported to be generally mild and short lasting. A review of reports published between 1970 and 1995 found slightly more side effects in those taking homoeopathy remedies compared to placebo. (Paterson 2002) Again they were reported as minor and short lasting and comparable between the two groups.

One study in this review found that a sub-group of breast cancer survivors not taking tamoxifen had more side effects when they took ‘Hyland’s menopause’ homoeopathic remedy.

Key Message(s)

There is level 4 evidence that homoeopathy may reduce side-effects of radiotherapy.	4
There is level 3 evidence that a particular homoeopathic treatment (Traumeel S®) may reduce the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced mouth ulcers in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation.	3
There is level 3 evidence that homoeopathy may reduce the total severity of skin reaction to radiotherapy during recovery.	3
There is level 2 evidence that homoeopathy does not reduce severity or frequency of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors.	2
There is level 2 evidence that homoeopathy may result in an improvement in general health after one year.	2
There is level 2 evidence that a combination homoeopathy (‘Hyland’s menopause’) remedy can increase the number and severity of hot flushes in breast cancer survivors not taking tamoxifen.	2
There is level 2 evidence that a combination homoeopathy (‘Hyland’s menopause’) remedy can increase the number of headaches in breast cancer survivors not taking tamoxifen.	2

 

Key: Levels of evidence

 

 

 

The information in this summary was developed by assessing:

Balzarini, A., E. Felisi, et al. (2000). "Efficacy of homeopathic treatment of skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial." British Homoeopathic Journal 89(1): 8-12.

Jacobs, J., P. Herman, et al. (2005). "Homeopathy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.[see comment]." Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 11(1): 21-7.

Kulkarni, A., B. M. Nagarkar, et al. (1988). "Radiation protection by use of homoeopathic medicines." Hahnemann Homoeopath Sand 12(1): 20-3.

Micozzi, M. S. (2001). Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingston.

Milazzo, S., N. Russell, et al. (2006). "Efficacy of homeopathic therapy in cancer treatment. [Review] [26 refs]." European Journal of Cancer 42(3): 282-9.

Molassiotis, A., P. Fernadez-Ortega, et al. (2005). "Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey." Annals of Oncology 16(4): 655-63.

Oberbaum, M. (1998). "Experimental treatment of chemotherapy-induced stomatitis using a homeopathic complex preparation: a preliminary study." Biomed Ther 16(4): 261-5.

Oberbaum, M., I. Yaniv, et al. (2001). "A randomized, controlled clinical trial of the homeopathic medication TRAUMEEL S in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced stomatitis in children undergoing stem cell transplantation." Cancer 92(3): 684-90.

Paterson, I. C. (2002). "Homeopathy: what is it and is it of value in the care of patients with cancer?[see comment]. [Review] [25 refs]." Clinical Oncology 14(3): 250-3.

Thompson, E. A., A. Montgomery, et al. (2005). "A pilot, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of individualized homeopathy for symptoms of estrogen withdrawal in breast-cancer survivors.[see comment]." Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 11(1): 13-20.

Vickers, A. and C. Zollman (1999). "ABC of complementary medicine. Homoeopathy.[see comment]. [Review] [0 refs]." Bmj 319(7217): 1115-8.

 

Date prepared: 20 June 2006

 

 

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