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http://dx.doi.org/10.22246/jikm.2021.42.3.420

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

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)
Publication Information
The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine / v.42, no.3, 2021 , pp. 420-430 More about this Journal
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
malignant pleural effusion; breast cancer; Korean medicine; case report;
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