The aim of this study was to understand the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients in Japan. This study was part of the Japan Hospice and Palliative care Evaluation 2016 (J-HOPE2016) Study. A multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of bereaved family members of cancer patients who died at palliative care units. Data suggest that 54% of cancer patients use CAM. In comparison with a previous study in 2005 in Japan, categories of CAM vary widely; CAM previously included supplements mostly, but now exercise and mind and body therapy are also used. Most cancer patients use CAM without any harmful influence on their household economy and cancer treatment; however, in some patients, CAM incurs a large expense and a delay in starting cancer treatment. Therefore, it is important for medical staff and patients to have an opportunity to discuss CAM use. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows that CAM use is significantly associated with younger patients and highly educated families; moreover, there is a possibility that family members who use CAM have a high level of psychological distress. We must pay attention to the physical and the psychological aspects of cancer patients who use CAM and their families. Further studies are needed to investigate the use of each category of CAM, and to understand patients who use CAM and who die at home or in hospitals other than palliative care units.

Although there have been studies reporting the efficacy of palliative radiation in treating liver tumors, there are very few reports in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of palliative radiation on pain in patients with liver tumors. Between December 2014 and November 2016, 15 patients received palliative radiotherapy of 8 Gy in a single fraction for primary or metastatic liver tumors. Among them, 12 patients were assessed for pain before and after the radiation therapy using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). A decrease in the NRS score post radiation therapy was reported in all cases. No grade 3 or higher acute phase adverse events were observed. In conclusion, palliative irradiation managing pain due to liver tumors is possibly effective in relieving pain and well tolerated.