Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal

Integrative Cancer Therapies

DOI

10.1177/15347354231223496

PMID

38178547

PMCID

PMC10768608

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-4-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in most countries with an expected increased burden on healthcare systems. Since integrative medical treatments are not collected within the scope of existing cancer registries, the establishment of the Korean Medicine Cancer Registry (KMCARE), gathering integrative therapies, including conservative care and Korean medicine, is warranted.

Methods: A prospective observational study based on the registry will be conducted in 5 Korean medical hospitals. A total of 650 eligible participants undergoing Korean medicine treatments within 1 month of a diagnosis of lung, colorectal, stomach, or breast cancer are anticipated to be enrolled in the registry. Data collected in the KMCARE can be classified into patient information, received treatments, and outcomes. The primary outcome is the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Questionnaire score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Core and the Body Constitution Questionnaire at 3 and 6 months. After 6 months of follow-up periods, survival surveillance will be continued for additional 18 months. Descriptive and statistical analysis of primary and secondary outcomes, baseline data, safety, survival, and prognostic factors will be performed.

Discussion: This is the first prospective, multi-centered, registry-based observational study of cancer patients in Korean medicine hospitals, which could reveal the current status of cancer patients receiving integrative cancer therapies, and provide better insight into the role of Korean medicine in palliative care for patients with cancer.

Keywords

Humans, Prospective Studies, Research Design, Registries, Neoplasms, Republic of Korea, cancer, Korean medicine, nationwide observational study, Registry, palliative care

Comments

Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0007447.

Published Open-Access

yes

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