Recent updates on massage therapy in oncology

Abstract

Background. Many oncologic patients are interesting to find ways to improve their conventional treatment and use massage therapy, alongside other methods of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), in order to relieve cancer-related symptoms. Aim. This paper’s aim is to evaluate the effects of massage in oncologic patients, adults and children. Conclusions. Massage therapy appears to be useful in relieving cancer related symptoms. However, more randomized studies are needed to really underline the benefits and the risks of this therapy, so the health professionals should choose the proper method for each patient.