Benzydamine for Radiation-Related Mucositis
Benzydamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has been used in an oral rinse. It has some local anesthetic and analgesic properties. Benzydamine has been evaluated in patients with cancer for the prevention and management of mucositis.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide, a chemical compound in the peroxide family, is a cleaning agent typically used in the treatment of acne. Benzoyl peroxide was evaluated in patients with cancer for the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis and skin effects.
Bee Venom
A formulation of sweet bee venom containing melittin, a peptide with reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, was studied for its effect on peripheral neuropathy. The formulation studied had allergens removed from the bee venom, and in one study was administered to patients via pharmacoacupuncture.
Beauty Treatments
The beauty treatments studied as interventions included manicures, pedicures, make-up sessions, depilation, hairdressing, and massages. Researchers studied the effect of beauty treatments on depression.
Quintard, B., & Lakdja, F. (2008). Assessing the effect of beauty treatments on psychological distress, body image, and coping: A longitudinal study of patients undergoing surgical procedures for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 17, 1032–1038. doi:10.1002/pon.1321
Baker's Yeast
Baker’s yeast comprises strains of yeast commonly used as leaven in baking bread and other bakery products. Baker’s yeast was examined as a dietary supplement in patients with cancer for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
Ayruvedic Drugs
Ayurvedic drugs have been used for centuries as a component of ayurvedic medicine practice in India. These medicines may be herbal, mineral, or metallic substances. A particular combination of ayurvedic drugs was studied in patients with cancer as an adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Axillary Reverse Mapping (ARM)
Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is an intraoperative technique developed to delineate the lymphatic drainage in the upper extremity during a sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection. This procedure involves injection of dye to identify lymphatic drainage from the arm to enable preservation of the lymphatic vessels. This technique has been examined for the prevention of upper extremity lymphedema in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.
Avoidance of Lifting Weight
Weight lifting is a physical activity in which the individual tones and builds muscle strength by using muscles to lift weight against gravity. Weight lifting has been evaluated related to risks and benefits for patients at risk for or with lymphedema and historically patients with lymphedema had been advised to avoid lifting weight in usual daily activities, such as carrying items weighing more tha a few pounds. Recent studies in lymphedema among patients with breast cancer have shown that weight lifting does not appear to exacerbate lymphedema.
ATP Cream
Acrylate terpolymer (ATP) is a chemical compound found in barrier films that are used as dressings and skin treatments. ATP cream is a cream formulation containing ATP. This was examined for its effect in management of radiodermatitis.
ATP
Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) is a naturally occurring nucleotide present in every cell of the human body. Although ATP is known primarily for its role in intracellular energy metabolism, it also is widely distributed outside the cell. Extracellular ATP and its breakdown product, adenosine, are involved in the regulation of numerous biologic processes. ATP is the energy that drives cell activity, and energy intake from food ultimately is transformed to ATP.