Positive Health Online

Abstract

ROCK and DEMICHELE, Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, have reviewed (114 references) nutritional approaches to late toxicities of chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors.

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer reduces recurrence rates and prolongs survival at the cost of both acute and chronic toxicity. Breast cancer survivors may suffer from late effects of chemotherapy including congestive heart failure, neuropathy, premature menopause, and osteoporosis.

Methodology

Results

The study of antioxidants (free radical scavengers) for anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy arose out of known pathogenic mechanisms but has been universally disappointing in clinical trials. The application of agents used for diabetes-associated neuropathies suggests that evening primrose oil, alpha-linoleic acid, and capsaicin may all play a role in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathies. Black cohosh, dong quai, evening primrose, and red clover are used by patients experiencing symptoms of early menopause despite the paucity of clinical data demonstrating safety and efficacy of these agents. Calcium and vitamin D are widely accepted as effective means to retard bone loss.

Conclusion

Nutritional approaches offer the prospect of ameliorating or preventing the sequelae of chemotherapy. However except for vitamin D and calcium for the prevention of osteoporosis, current clinical evidence is sparse.

References

Rock E, DeMichele A. Nutritional approaches to late toxicities of adjucant chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. The Journal of Nutrition 133 (11 Suppl 1): 3785S-3793S, Nov 2003.