I believe that the combination of conventional medical treatment and complementary alternative medicine are the best way to treat many complex disease processes. I found this article that looks at a study from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America on a small patient group and the effects of vitamin and melatonin supplements on cancer treatment side effects.
The author of the study says that he has seen a positive reduction in fatigue levels and severe pain associated with both the disease process and the treatments. The study looked at 50 pancreatic cancer patients who were experiencing pain and fatigue while being treated with chemotherapy and in some cases chemo and radiation therapy. The patients also were receiving standard narcotic pain management.
The study claims a reduction in fatigue symptoms and pain associated with their cancer. A comment from an oncologist not associated with the study cautions that alternative complementary medication treatments are often effective as assistants to conventional care but should not be considered instead of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
