The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회지)

The Society of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for Pleural Effusion due to Metastasis of Breast Cancer

유방암의 폐전이로 인한 흉막 삼출의 한의치료에 대한 증례보고

  • Moon, Jiseong (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Hakkyeom (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Yeseul (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital) ;
  • Min, Seonwoo (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital) ;
  • Park, Jiyoon (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital) ;
  • Ahn, Lib (Dept. of Oriental Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Il-san Oriental Medicine Hospital)
  • 문지성 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 김학겸 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 김예슬 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 민선우 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 박지윤 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과) ;
  • 안립 (동국대학교 일산불교한방병원 한방내과)
  • Received : 2021.03.31
  • Accepted : 2021.07.06
  • Published : 2021.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The survival time of breast cancer patients with lung metastasis has been prolonged as treatment methods have improved. However, there is yet no definitive therapy for the additional symptoms of lung metastasis to improve the quality of life of these patients. We report a patient who was suffering from pleural effusion due to metastasized breast cancer. She was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal medicine (Bojungikgi-tang-gami), combined with hormone therapy, for two months. We assessed her other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, generalized weakness, and lower extremity swelling, using a numeric rating scale (NRS). We also evaluated pleural effusion with chest X-rays. Shortness of breath was maintained at NRS 5, generalized weakness was slightly improved from NRS 6~7 to NRS 7~8 (10=healthy condition), and lower extremity edema was improved from NRS 3 to NRS 2 (10=highest score of discomfort). Malignant pleural effusion was maintained during the admission period. This report suggests that Korean medicine can help to maintain malignant pleural effusion and improve additional symptoms of lung metastasis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 동국대학교일산불교한방병원 기관윤리심의위원회(IRB)의 심의면제 판정을 받았다(IRB No. DUIOH 2021-03-002).

References

  1. Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center. Annual report of cancer statistics in Korea in 2018. Ministry of Health and Welfare. 2020.
  2. Longo D, Fauci A, Kasper D, Hauser S, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Edition. Seoul: MIP; 2013.
  3. Park SY, Choi JE, Jeon MH, Kang SH, Lee SJ. Intrapleural Paclitaxel Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Metastatic Malignant Pleural Effusion. J Breast Cancer 2010;13(4):443-7. https://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2010.13.4.443
  4. Han G, Son J, Seong S, Kim S. Review of Domestic Research on Traditional Korean Medicine for Breast Cancer. J Int Korean Med 2018;39(1):44-68.
  5. Cho N, Yoon M, Choi H, Kim S, Kim K. A Case Report of Cough in a Patient with Metastasis to Lung Improved by Korean Medicine. J Int Korean Med 2020;41(3):487-93. https://doi.org/10.22246/jikm.2020.41.3.487
  6. Han JB, Ha TH, Kim SS, Seong S. Case of Complete Remission of Breast Cancer Metastasized to Lung Treated by Traditional Korean Therapy. Journal of physiology & pathology in Korean Medicine 2013;27(6):818-22.
  7. Noh YH, Kim YG, Kim JH, Choi HS, Lee SJ, Kim JS, et al. Factors Associated with Metastatic Breast Cancer in Patients Who Show Long-Term Stable Disease Status. J Breast Dis 2017;5(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.14449/jbd.2017.5.1.1
  8. Gerratana L, Fanotto V, Bonotto M, Bolzonello S, Minisini AM, Fasola G, et al. Pattern of metastasis and outcome in patients with breast cancer. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 2015;32(2):125-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10585-015-9697-2
  9. Kang SY. Hormone Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer. Korean J Med 2017;92(3):251-8. https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2017.92.3.251
  10. Finn RS, Crown JP, Lang I, Boer K, Bondarenko IM, Kulyk SO, et al. The cyclin -dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with letrozole versus letrozole alone as first-line treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer (PALOMA-1/TRIO-18): a randomised phase 2 study. The Lancet Oncology 2015;16(1):25-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(14)71159-3
  11. Asciak R, Rahman NM. Malignant Pleural Effusion: From Diagnostics to Therapeutics. Clin Chest Med 2018;39(1):181-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccm.2017.11.004
  12. The Whole Korean medicine Bangjaehak professor Coedition. Bangjaehak. Seoul: Young-Lim Press; 2014.
  13. Kang M, Lee D, Son A, Shin H. Case Report of Generalized Edema with Hypoalbuminemia and Pleural Effusion Improved by Combined Traditional Korean and Western Medical Treatments in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Medicated with Dasatinib. J Int Korean Med 2016;37(2):202-11.
  14. Heo Jun. 對譯東醫寶鑑. Kyeongnam: 東醫寶鑑出版社; 2010.
  15. Chen DA. Treating 27 cases of edema in the lower limbs with Wu Ling San Xinjiang. J Tradit Chin Med 1998.
  16. Lee J, Chae J, Jung Y, Lee S, Jung H. Two Cases of Cancer-induced Lymphedema Patients Treated with Oryeongsan. J Int Korean Med 2013;34(3):322-8.
  17. Kang BS, Kim IR, Kim HC. Boncho-Hak. 3rd ed. Seoul: Young-Lim Press; 2011.
  18. Perry S, Kowalski TL, Chang CH. Quality of life assessment in women with breast cancer: benefits, acceptability and utilization. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2007;5:24-4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-5-24