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- Title
The use of medical cannabis in cancer patients.
- Authors
Zaki, Pearl; Blake, Alexia; Wolt, Amiti; Chan, Stephanie; Liying Zhang; Wan, Angela; Lam, Henry; DeAngelis, Carlo; Slaven, Marissa; Shaw, Erynn; Ganesh, Vithusha; Malek, Leila; Chow, Edward; O'Hearn, Shannon
- Abstract
Therapeutic applications of medical cannabis within the cancer population, particularly for pain, treatment- related nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite, have been investigated by few studies. The present study examined the efficacy of cannabis treatment for symptom relief among cancer patients receiving cannabis treatment from a single Canadian medical cannabis provider. Data was obtained from a voluntary online survey that consisted of questions related to demographic information, current medical conditions, presence and severity of symptoms, and quality of life (QOL). Follow-up (FU) surveys were completed at 4 and 10 months following initial use. 164 patients reported a current or previous diagnosis of cancer, of which the most common types of primary tumours were gastrointestinal (17.7%, n = 29), breast (13.4%, n = 22), leukemia and lymphoma (13.4%, n = 22), gynaecologic (9.2%, n = 15), prostate (7.3%, n = 12), and lung (7.3%, n = 12). While improvements were seen in commonly reported symptoms, including pain, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and sleep problems, the observations were not statistically significant. Statistical significance was demonstrated in patients' ability to cope with pain at 4-month FU (p < 0.0001). QOL was stable from baseline to 4-month FU, where most reported good QOL (66.7%). Of associated QOL factors, only experience with sleep was found to be improved with statistical significance (p = 0.02). Side effects of cannabis use included dry mouth, psychoactive effects, decreased concentration and memory, and sleepiness. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of medical cannabis in comparison to conventional first-line therapies for management of symptoms in cancer patients in both short- and long-term treatment.
- Subjects
BREAST tumors; CANCER patients; LUNG tumors; PROSTATE tumors; QUALITY of life; SURVEYS; TUMORS; GASTROINTESTINAL tumors; MEDICAL marijuana; STATISTICAL significance; TREATMENT effectiveness; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Journal of Pain Management, 2017, Vol 10, Issue 4, p353
- ISSN
1939-5914
- Publication type
Article