An observation on combined use of chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine to relieve cancer pain

J Tradit Chin Med. 1996 Dec;16(4):267-9.

Abstract

We have treated 50 patients with stage III, VI malignant tumors confirmed by pathology. The patients were divided into two groups. One group was treated by combination of chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine (treatment group); the other only by chemotherapy (control group). The effect of cancer treatment was evaluated according to the criteria of WHO. The results showed that the effective rate was 80% in treatment group and 52% in control group. The pain relieving rate was 68% in treatment group and 40% in control group (P < 0.01). This fact demonstrates that the application of traditional Chinese medicine can invigorate blood circulation, eliminate blood stasis, soften hardness and dissolve the mass, nourish blood and increase vigor. This kind of application can not only enhance the effect of cancer treatment but also increase the cancer pain relieving rate.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Intractable / drug therapy*
  • Pain, Intractable / etiology
  • Peptichemio / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Peptichemio

Supplementary concepts

  • CAP protocol 2