Is Traditional Chinese Medicine Effective in Treating Tumors

Traditional Chinese medicine can be used as an auxiliary method for treating tumors, but it needs to be combined with Western medicine treatment. Tumor treatment needs to be comprehensively judged based on the patient's condition, pathological type, and stage. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment mainly has the effects of strengthening the body and consolidating the foundation, relieving symptoms, and reducing the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) adjusts the balance of yin and yang in the body through syndrome differentiation and treatment. Commonly used Qi tonifying and Blood nourishing herbs such as Huangqi and Danggui improve patients' physical fitness, while liver soothing and depression relieving herbs such as Chaihu and Yujin can alleviate anxiety during treatment. Some traditional Chinese medicine ingredients such as Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides and ginsenosides have immunomodulatory effects and may inhibit the tumor microenvironment. Traditional Chinese medicine fumigation and acupuncture and moxibustion can improve nausea and vomiting symptoms after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and moxibustion at Zusanli can increase the number of white blood cells. Some traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations, such as Kanglaite injection, can be used as adjuvant therapy for lung cancer, and Huachansu capsules have a certain inhibitory effect on liver cancer. However, traditional Chinese medicine alone cannot replace Western medicine methods such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Early stage tumors are still mainly treated with surgical cure. Some traditional Chinese medicines may interfere with the metabolism of anti-tumor drugs, such as the use of Ginkgo biloba leaf preparations in combination with chemotherapy drugs, which requires caution. The use of traditional Chinese medicine without standardized syndrome differentiation may increase the burden on the liver and kidneys, and medicinal materials containing aristolochic acid may pose a risk of nephrotoxicity. The so-called anti-cancer folk remedies lack evidence-based basis, and unauthorized use may delay the timing of treatment.

Cancer patients should choose the oncology department of a regular traditional Chinese medicine hospital for traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and the plan should be adjusted by a traditional Chinese medicine doctor according to the stage of Western medicine treatment. During the treatment period, regular follow-up of tumor markers and imaging examinations should be conducted. If there is unexplained pain or sudden weight loss, timely medical attention should be sought. Maintain moderate exercise such as Ba Duan Jin exercise, pay attention to high-quality protein intake in diet, and avoid consuming spicy, stimulating, and moldy foods. psychological counseling and family companionship have a significant impact on treatment compliance, and can be combined with traditional Chinese medicine therapies such as ear acupressure to improve sleep quality.