[Evaluation of therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine combined with western medicine on breast cancer after resection: analysis of 71 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine on breast cancer after surgical resection.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients with breast cancer received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and TCM following resection.


RESULTS
None of the patients died during the follow-up period. Fifty-seven patients were treated with TCM shortly after undergoing resection. Two recurrences (3.5%) and 6 metastases (10.5%) were observed in 8 patients, whose median disease free survival was 5.9 years. Fourteen patients didn't receive TCM until recurrence or metastasis emerged, with a median disease free survival of 3.5 years. There was significant difference between the two groups (P=0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
TCM combined with western medicine is efficient in preventing and delaying recurrence and metastasis.
Shen
Ye-Hua
YH
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. yehua_sh@citiz.net
Song
Ming-Zhi
MZ
Huang
Wen-Xia
WX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal