The Management of Cancer Symptoms and Treatment-Induced Side Effects With Cannabis or Cannabinoids

Abstract

Cannabis and cannabinoids are increasingly being accessed and used by patients with advanced cancer for various symptoms and general quality of life. Specific symptoms of pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and cachexia, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and medical trauma are among those that have prompted patients with cancer to use cannabis. This conference report from the National Cancer Institute’s “Cannabis, Cannabinoid and Cancer Research Symposium” on the topic of “Cancer Symptom/Treatment Side Effect Management” is an expert perspective of cannabis intervention for cancer and cancer treatment-related symptoms. The purpose of the symposium was to identify research gaps, describe the need for high-quality randomized prospective studies of medical cannabis for palliative care in patients with cancer, and evaluate the impact of medical cannabis on cancer survivors’ quality of life. Further, education of clinicians and affiliated health-care providers in guiding cancer patients in using cannabis for cancer care would benefit patients. Together, these steps will further aid in refining the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for symptom palliation and improve safety and efficacy for patients.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Nov 27, 2021
Source ID
10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab011

Entities

People

  • Aminah Jatoi
  • Carey S Clark
  • José M. Garcia
  • Mark S. Wallace
  • Michelle Sexton

Organizations

  • Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
  • Mayo Clinic
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • University of California
  • University of Washington

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).