Integrative Physician's Perspective

摘要

In this issue's Tumor Board, we explore how integrative practitioners might approach a case of a less-common cancer for which no established lifestyle risk factors are known. Cholangiocarcinoma is such a cancer, and, as the excellent contribution by Drs Espat and Sharif makes clear, the major risk factors for this disease are either parasitic organisms or, perhaps more likely in US populations, inflammatory diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. The connection to inflammation is certainly interesting, in that many cancers now appear to be related to chronic inflammation. The inflammation underlying PSC may be related to autoimmune disease based on genetic susceptibility. Supplemental omega-3 fatty acids and restriction of omega-6 fatty acid intake may have a role to play in autoimmune conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and thus may be of relevance in the prevention of PSC.