Integrated Medicine Therapy for an End-stage Lung Cancer Patient with Brain Metastasis

양한방 협진을 통한 뇌전이 동반 말기 폐암환자 치험 1례

Objectives : This study reports one case of a patient diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis. Methods : A 79 year-old male patient diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis was treated chemotherapy for 3 months and quitted it due to poor general condition. He transferred to Korean medicine hospital and was treated herbal medicine(Saengmaek-san plus Baekhapgogeum-tang gagam), acupuncture, moxibustion, interferential current therapy. To evaluate the patient, we measured of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue). Results : Patient's outcomes were improved during the 1st week regarding VAS (41${\rightarrow}$25), FACT-L (81.2${\rightarrow}$90), FACIT-fatigue (25${\rightarrow}$10). However, dyspnea and cough were was aggravated in the 2nd week. Conclusions : Treatment with Korean medicine therapy may have substantial benefit for patients with end-stage lung cancer. But, Integrated medicine therapy is necessary for proper management of end-stage cancer patients.

이번 증례에서 뇌전이가 동반된 IV기 비소세포성 폐암 환자에 대해 양한방 치료를 병행하여 VAS, FACT-L, FACIT-fatigue 등을 통하여 그 경과를 관찰한 바 방광자극증상 및 수면 등 삶의 질의 개선을 관찰할 수 있었다. 하지만 원활하지 못한 협진 체계로 인하여 환자 관리에 있어 문제점을 발견할 수 있었다. 향후 한방 치료를 통한 암환자 관리를 위해서는 접근성이 뛰어난 양한방 협진체계의 구축이 필수적인 것으로 사료된다.