Abstract

Objectives : Recently, the number of cancer patients who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including oriental medicine, are increasing. Also, evidence for efficacy and safety of cancer CAM is reported continuously. This study was designed to evaluate the quality of the published papers for clinical studies about oriental medical cancer treatment in Korea. Methods : We searched for clinical research papers on the websites of the Korean oriental medical society and subsidiary academies, Korean traditional knowledge portal. Koreanstudies information service system (KISS), etc. We used the reference words 'cancer', 'malignant tumor', 'leukemia', 'lymphoma', 'multiple myeloma', 'melanoma', etc, We then chose studies that had been presented between 1991 and 2008 and analyzed them by publication year, design, cancer type, intervention, subject and journal. Results : There were 86 clinical research papers that were published between 1991 and 2008. The number of clinical studies has increased in a time-dependent manner. Case reports and case series studies account for 78% of total clinical research. Studies of lung cancer account for 17%. Studies of cancer-related symptoms of cancer patients account for 38%. Studies of Hang-Am-Dan account for 33%. Studies published in the journal of the Korean Society of Oriental Internal Medicine account for 35%. Conclusion : The clinical research papers about oriental medicine are increasing over time, but most of the studies are retrospective case reports or case series. Well-designed and prospective clinical trials would be recommended to provide more reliable evidence.

Keywords

• systemic review;
• clinical research;
• oriental medicine;
• cancer