Supportive Cancer Care Using Chinese Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been increasingly utilized by cancer patients in developed countries. Among the various forms of CAM, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the few that has a well constructed theoretical framework and established treatment approaches for diseases including cancer. Recent research has revealed growing evidence suggesting that TCM is effective in the supportive care of cancer patients during and after major conventional cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). This effectiveness seems to mediate mainly through three approaches: (1) Improvement of tumour response and reduction of adverse treatment effects; (2) Immunity modulation and (3) Enhancement of symptom control. This chapter reviewed the concepts behind which TCM treatment approaches in supportive care of cancer patients are formulated and the published laboratory and clinical evidence supporting the usage of various TCM treatment strategies including herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary modifications and qigong energy therapy.