Akupunktura v onkologiji Acupuncture in Oncology

forty years of clinical practice and integration at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana

Abstract

Preživetje slovenskih bolnikov z rakom se v zadnjih desetletjih vztrajno izboljšuje, kar odraža napredek slovenske onkologije in nacionalnega zdravstvenega sistema. Državni program obvladovanja raka zagotavlja integriran okvir dejavnosti na področju preventive, diagnostike, zdravljenja, rehabilitacije in paliativne oskrbe. Z vidika zmanjševanja bremena raka, izboljšanja kakovosti življenja bolnikov in zagotavljanja ekonomske vzdržnosti sta ključna dosledno izvajanje na dokazih temelječih preventivnih programov ter pravočasno, strokovno utemeljeno zdravljenje. Razvoj medicinske znanosti je v zadnjih dveh desetletjih prinesel pomembna nova spoznanja, med katerimi ima vse vidnejšo vlogo integracija komplementarnih, na dokazih temelječih metod. Med njimi ima tradicionalna kitajska medicina (TKM), zlasti akupunktura, pomembno mesto kot podporna metoda v onkološki obravnavi. Na Onkološkem inštitutu Ljubljana (OIL) se akupunktura izvaja že 40 let, predvsem za lajšanje neželenih učinkov onkološkega zdravljenja in kot del multimodalnega obvladovanja bolečine. V zadnjih letih pridobiva pomen tudi v okviru strukturirane onkološke rehabilitacije (OREH).

Abstract (Eng)

Survival rates among Slovenian cancer patients have steadily improved over recent decades, reflecting significant advances in Slovenian oncology and the national healthcare system. The National Cancer Control Programme provides an integrated framework encompassing primary and secondary prevention, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. To reduce the overall cancer burden, improve patients’ quality of life, and ensure economic sustainability, the consistent implementation of evidence-based preventive programmes and the provision of timely, professionally grounded treatment are essential. Over the past two decades, advances in medical science have introduced important new insights, including the integration of complementary, evidence-based methods, which have gained increasing recognition. In this context, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly acupuncture, has assumed a meaningful role as a supportive modality in oncology. At the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana (OIL), acupuncture has been practiced for over 40 years, primarily to alleviate treatment-related side effects and as part of multimodal pain management. In recent years, its role has further expanded within the framework of structured oncological rehabilitation (OREH).