[Clinical study of the effects of radiotherapy in combination with traditional Chinese medicine on non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Ninety-two patients with NSCLC were randomly divided into combined treatment group (n=50) and radiotherapy group (n=42). The former group was given TCM in combination with radiotherapy, and the latter group received radiotherapy only. The adverse effects and quality-of-life (QOL) of all the patients were observed after the treatments.


RESULTS
The incidence of adverse effects was much lower in combined treatment group than in radiotherapy group, and significantly greater improvement in QOL of the patients was observed in the former group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
TCM in the combined treatment for patients with NSCLC can reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy, and improve the life quality of the patients.
Cai
Hong-Bing
HB
Oncology Center, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Dai
Fang-Guo
FG
Min
Qing-Fen
QF
Shi
Min
M
Miao
Jing-Xia
JX
Luo
Rong-Cheng
RC
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal