Complementary and alternative medicine for advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

Complimentary and alternative medicines (CAM) have increased drastically in popularity in the past decade. These are largely in the form of nutritional supplements. Despite a wealth of information sources on the subject, the fundamental problem with CAM therapies is a dearth of evidence-based medicine. Advanced prostate cancer has significant long-term morbidity, and there is a growing interest in alternative and complimentary forms of therapy that will improve the outcomes of patients who have recurrent or advanced prostate cancer while obviating the need for more toxic forms of therapy. In this article we summarize the use of some of the more common CAM nutritional supplements and review the scientific data that are available to support their use.