Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Cancer Treatment
Integrated treatment of cancer using both traditional Chinese and Western medicine is increasingly accepted by scholars and patients in China. Traditional Chinese medicine research shows that after surgical removal of malignant tumors, cancer patients who receive herbal therapy during chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can strengthen their immune system, reduce side effects, and even extend survival time.
Over the past 40 years, the application of traditional Chinese medicine and integrated TCM-WM approaches in treating malignant tumors has gained wider acceptance among medical professionals and patients alike, recognized as an effective method in comprehensive cancer treatment.
Experts state that traditional Chinese medicine contains numerous records and discussions about cancerous tumors. For example, inscriptions on oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty already mention "liu" (tumor). The classic text *Huangdi Neijing* describes conditions similar to cancer, such as "ji ju," "zheng jia," and "shi ju."
Experts emphasize that surgical removal remains the primary treatment option for cancer. Once a tumor is detected, the first step is usually Western surgical removal, unless the patient's condition is too advanced for surgery. After tumor excision or significant reduction, follow-up treatments including chemotherapy and radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) can be administered. They note: "Currently, the basic view of Chinese oncologists regarding cancer treatment is that patients who are eligible for Western surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy should first opt for these most effective methods to eliminate or kill cancer cells."
Progress in Integrative Cancer Therapy
Through long-term clinical practice and experience, progress in treating cancer with traditional Chinese medicine and integrative approaches mainly includes four aspects:
First, improving clinical symptoms and quality of life while increasing survival rates; second, reducing side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy; third, enhancing surgical outcomes and reducing postoperative complications; fourth, preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis and halting precancerous changes.
Experts explain that Chinese TCM oncologists focus on three main aspects in cancer management:
First, integrating TCM treatment during surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to help mitigate side effects and potential harm or damage caused by these procedures.
Second, if patients take certain herbs that boost immunity and balance yin-yang, qi-blood-fluids, and organ functions during and after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, it can prevent tumor metastasis, reduce recurrence, and prolong survival.
Third, for patients unable to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, taking herbal medicines can help inhibit tumor cell growth, relieve discomfort caused by tumors, improve quality of life, and moderately extend survival.
TCM Regulation Before and After Surgery
TCM offers three main approaches to cancer management.
Dr. Zhu Ping from the Weishengxuan Health Center explains: "Cancer patients often suffer from general weakness due to anesthesia, bleeding, and surgical trauma. Administering herbs like Bajun Tang or Guipi Wan that tonify qi and nourish blood helps generate vital substances and promotes faster recovery."
Experts say: "Postoperative fasting, especially gastrointestinal decompression after digestive tract surgery, can damage the stomach and intestines, causing loss of appetite, abdominal distension, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. At this stage, herbs that regulate the spleen and stomach—such as Xiangsha Yangwei Wan, Jianpi Wan, and Renshen Jianpi Wan—are helpful."
To integrate TCM during surgery, specific methods involve starting herbal intake 1–2 weeks before surgery and continuing immediately after the patient can eat again.
Many chemotherapy drugs used in Western medicine cause bone marrow suppression, leading to reduced white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. While effectively killing cancer cells, they often produce severe side effects, which may force patients to discontinue treatment. However, TCM can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs against cancer cells, while using qi-tonifying, spleen-strengthening, liver-kidney-nourishing herbs to significantly reduce toxic side effects, enabling completion of the full chemotherapy course.
Experts state: "TCM is particularly effective in increasing white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Numerous clinical studies in China confirm that TCM can overcome chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression and help patients complete the entire chemotherapy regimen."