Paediatric integrative oncology refers to the use of complementary therapies alongside conventional cancer treatments in children. This approach seeks to optimize the child’s overall well-being, manage symptoms, and potentially enhance the effectiveness of traditional cancer therapies.
Integrative oncology in paediatric patients is designed to work synergistically with conventional medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, focusing on the whole child rather than just the disease. This approach can be particularly important in managing the side effects of cancer treatment, improving the child’s quality of life, and supporting their emotional and psychological needs during their cancer journey.
Paediatric integrative oncology is used in various settings, typically in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments. Its primary purpose is to manage side effects, alleviate symptoms, improve emotional resilience, and support the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being throughout the cancer treatment process.
Paediatric integrative oncology works by combining conventional medical care with therapies that focus on the whole child, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of their cancer treatment. The goal is to optimize the child’s health and quality of life by integrating therapies that focus on symptom relief, emotional support, and overall wellness.
Symptom Management: Integrative therapies aim to relieve the common side effects of cancer treatment, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite. For example, acupuncture can help reduce nausea during chemotherapy, while massage therapy can provide relief from muscle tension and pain.
Emotional and Psychological Support: Childhood cancer can cause significant emotional distress, both for the child and their family. Mind-body therapies like guided imagery and mindfulness help children cope with fear, anxiety, and stress, promoting emotional resilience. Art therapy and music therapy provide children with a creative outlet for expressing their emotions and coping with difficult feelings.
Immune System Support: Many integrative therapies, such as nutritional support and herbal medicine, aim to strengthen the child’s immune system during and after treatment. Supporting the immune system helps reduce the risk of infections and promotes the child’s overall health.
Physical Healing: After surgery or chemotherapy, children may experience physical weakness or difficulty with mobility. Physical therapy and gentle exercises are designed to promote recovery, improve strength, and help children regain their normal activities.
Leukaemia: the most common type of cancer in children, accounting for about 30% of all paediatric cancers. It is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow and is characterized by the uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells.
Brain Tumours: Brain tumours are the second most common type of cancer in children, representing around 25% of paediatric cancers.
Wilms tumour (Nephroblastoma): is a kidney cancer that typically affects children under 5 years old.
Retinoblastoma: a rare cancer of the eye that typically affects children under 5 years old. It occurs when cells in the retina (the part of the eye that detects light) become cancerous.
Rhabdomyosarcoma: a type of soft tissue sarcoma that affects the skeletal muscles, often in the head and neck, bladder, or reproductive organs. It is most common in children under 10.
Osteosarcoma and other bone cancers: the most common type of bone cancer in children and adolescents. It typically occurs in the long bones, such as the arms or legs, and is most common during the growth spurts of adolescence.
Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Lymphomas are cancers that originate in the lymphatic system, which includes lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.
Neuroblastoma: a cancer that arises from immature nerve cells, most often in the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys), but it can also occur in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
Kaposi Sarcoma (KS): is a rare cancer that affects the skin, lymph nodes, and internal organs.
Paediatric integrative oncology offers numerous benefits, focusing on improving both the child’s well-being and the effectiveness of conventional treatments. The main benefits include:
Enhanced Quality of Life: Integrative therapies address the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that arise from cancer and its treatments. Nutritional support helps children maintain healthy body weight and energy levels.
Improved Emotional and Psychological Well-Being: Cancer treatment can cause fear, anxiety, and depression in children. Integrative approaches can help children manage emotional distress and discomfort.
Reduced Side Effects of Conventional Treatments: Research has shown integrative therapies may reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as nausea, pain, fatigue, and insomnia.
Enhanced Immune Function: Strengthening the immune system during cancer treatment is critical, as chemotherapy can significantly weaken a child growing natural defence system. Nutritional therapies, including antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin C can help boost immune function and promote recovery.
Long-Term Health Benefits: Integrative therapies can also help children recover after treatment, supporting long-term health and resilience. This includes therapies such as nutritional support which may promote cellular repair and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Paediatric integrative oncology offers a holistic, compassionate approach to supporting children with cancer. By combining evidence-based conventional treatments with complementary therapies, this approach addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the child throughout their cancer treatment journey. While integrative oncology cannot replace conventional cancer treatments, it can complement them, providing a well-rounded approach to healing, recovery, and emotional resilience for children battling cancer. By focusing on the whole child, paediatric integrative oncology ensures a more comprehensive, supportive, and compassionate cancer care experience.
At Wellbeing Medical Group, we have specifically designed our therapies with the health of our patients in mind. We work alongside our patients to tailor your dosage to meet your unique medical needs and provide you with consistent support from start to finish.
Your comfort is our top priority, and we pride ourselves on having a calming environment during your therapy. We will support your cancer journey using a range of complementary therapies administered by our expert medical team.
Contact our team today to find out more about how our paediatric integrative oncology can help you and to book a consultation with our integrative oncology care team.
Are you based outside of London seeking medical support with a complementary cancer care consultant?
Wellbeing Medical Group thrives to keep your health the no.1 priority. Our staff are dedicated to work closely on your case and offer you the maximum support required to reaching optimized health goals. Each person is an individual for us and so is our approach.
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