Yang Yuanqing, Li Si
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin, P.R. China.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jan 17;104(3):e41291. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041291.
Patients with extensive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) generally have a dismal survival rate and are conventionally treated with chemotherapy. This study aimed to explore an alternative treatment approach by combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
A 68-year-old male was diagnosed with extensive-stage SCLC. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans indicated a high metabolism mass in the left hilar region, along with multiple lymph node metastases and metastatic tumors in both lungs. A left lung biopsy verified small cell carcinoma.
The patient was confirmed to have extensive stage SCLC based on imaging and biopsy results.
The patient received a comprehensive treatment regimen. TCM herbal prescriptions such as Qianjin Weijing Decoction, Wuwei Xiaodu Decoction, Xiaoxianxiong Decoction, and Xiaochengqi Decoction were administered. In parallel, standard Western medicine therapies, including chemotherapy (intravenous cisplatin and etoposide) and radiotherapy, were carried out. Oral ondansetron was given to alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
After 30 months, follow-up positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated the complete disappearance of all cancerous lesions. The patient regained normal daily activities and experienced a substantially enhanced quality of life. Four years after the initial treatment, there has been no recurrence, and the patient persists in taking the original TCM decoction.
The combination of TCM and Western medicine in treating SCLC proves effective in managing systemic symptoms, mitigating bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal reactions, immunosuppression, and other chemotherapy-induced adverse reactions. It also significantly prolongs the survival period, suggesting it as a preferable treatment option for SCLC.
广泛期小细胞肺癌（SCLC）患者的生存率通常很低，传统上采用化疗进行治疗。本研究旨在探索一种将中医与放疗和化疗相结合的替代治疗方法。
一名68岁男性被诊断为广泛期SCLC。正电子发射断层扫描/计算机断层扫描显示左肺门区有一个高代谢肿块，同时伴有双肺多发淋巴结转移和转移瘤。左肺活检证实为小细胞癌。
根据影像学和活检结果，该患者被确诊为广泛期SCLC。
患者接受了综合治疗方案。给予千金苇茎汤、五味消毒饮、小陷胸汤和小承气汤等中药方剂。同时，进行了标准的西医治疗，包括化疗（静脉注射顺铂和依托泊苷）和放疗。口服昂丹司琼以减轻化疗和放疗引起的恶心和呕吐。
30个月后，随访的正电子发射断层扫描/计算机断层扫描显示所有癌性病变完全消失。患者恢复了正常的日常活动，生活质量大幅提高。初始治疗四年后，无复发，患者持续服用原中药汤剂。
中西医结合治疗SCLC在控制全身症状、减轻骨髓抑制、胃肠道反应、免疫抑制和其他化疗引起的不良反应方面被证明是有效的。它还显著延长了生存期，表明它是SCLC的一种较好的治疗选择。
