• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.709-722
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) in alleviating the side effects of lung cancer patient undergoing immunotherapy. Method: A 43-year-old man, who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, received pembrolizumab treatments. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine (Geoeoyangpye-tang) to control various uncomfortable symptoms. The degree of pain was measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC LC-13 questionnaire) were used to assess the change in the quality of life. Results: After the TKM treatment, the flank pain and arthralgia based on the NRS were significantly improved. Various uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia, and loss of appetite were also significantly improved, based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13. The size of the primary tumor was decreased during treatment. The disease status was stable radiologically after two months from discharge.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted towards developing guidelines of herbal medicine treatment for gastric cancer. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate the efficacy of herbal medicine treatment for gastric cancer on four cancer questions; survival rate, metastasis, immune function, and quality of life. Based on the findings, we utilized a two-round delphi process with panel of 22 experts for their level of agreement. Results: Combined therapy group, herbal medicine treated with chemotherapy, was significantly higher in the 1-year survival rate (RR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.40, P=0.005, $I^2=71%$) and 3-years survival rate (RR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.71, P=0.91, $I^2=0%$) than chemotherapy group. The suppression of metastasis was higher in the combined therapy group (RR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.84, P=0.09, $I^2=54%$). The immunology function was higher in the combined therapy group compared with the chemotherapy group (MD=16.43, 95% CI: 13.25 to 29.61, P<0.001, $I^2=99%$). The quality of life score was higher in the combined therapy group compared with the chemotherapy group (RR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.00, P<0.66, $I^2=0%$). Conclusions: Among the Randomized controlled trials (RCT) included, the levels of survival rates, suppression of metastasis, immune function, and quality of life of the group treated with chemotherapy were lower compared to those treated with herbal medicine in addition to chemotherapy.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1752-1761
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• 2004

Recently, Despite improvements of therapeutic methods on malignancy, the need of modalities on the treatment of cancer have been increasing nowadays and Traditional Oriental Medicine have been considered as alternatives and the uses of it have continued to increase in cancer therapy. The aims of this paper is to gain the evidence of entering to the mainstream of cancer therapy and get the clue to make herbal prescription and perform the clinical trials using herbal medicines. Cheong-yeol group herbs which was intimate thought have been used most frequently and leukemia cell lines and apoptosis-releated experiments were executed mostly. A distinguished experiments were about the combination therapy on cancer and comparison between herbs and active compound derived from the same herb. With these results, we knew that molecular biology using herbs have been gained the popularity more and more and we think that we can use these results in the laboratory work and clinical work to strengthen the utilization of Traditional Oriental Medicine.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.973-983
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• 2018

Objectives: We report a case of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment for skin side effects after taking afatinib (Giotrif$^{(R)}$). Methods: A 62-year-old female who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer stage 4 (T4N2M1b) and was on treatment with afatinib (29.56 mg/day for 4 months) complained of skin toxicity as a side effect. For 16 admission days, the patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (oral decoction and external ointment). Results: Improvement of skin toxicity was measured by a numeric rating scale. In addition, Quality of life (QOL) was measured using EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-LC13) Developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Tumor size and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were also examined during follow up. Conclusions: After a combined TKM treatment, skin toxicity symptoms and quality of life scales were significantly improved with no side effects. The tumor size was not changed on computed tomography during follow-up period. CEA levels were decreased.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Background : Integrative cancer treatment is a holistic approach embracing body, mind, and spirit incorporating conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and personalized complementary treatments. Wheel Balance Therapy (WBT) of East-West Cancer Center(EWCC), Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University was developed to balance out all factors involved in cancer care based on the traditional theories of oriental medicine. Objective : This work aims to analytically review literatures on WBT and its related components. Methods : Literatures published from January 1st, 1990 to April 30th, 2011 were reviewed focusing on 4 main components of WBT; herbal medicine, immune activation, anti-cancer diet, and breathing/meditation. Data were retrieved from medical search engines and electronic data bases including Pubmed, Research Information sharing Service (RISS), Korean-studies Information Service System (KISS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korea's National Digital Library (KNDL). Results : In this review, EWCC's most commonly prescribed formulas are explored. The composition of the formulas, their use in clinical settings as well as the background studies and other therapeutic efficacies are explained. Information on incorporating anti-cancer dietary support and breathing and meditation techniques, other therapies practiced as part of the center's integrative cancer care are also covered. Conclusion : WBT based on holistic theories of oriental medicine embracing body, mind, and spirit is expected to further contribute in promotion of cancer patients' quality of life and prolonged survival time.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.478-486
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• 2020

Objectives: Pressure injury is a common symptom of end-stage cancer, which impact quality of life. This case study reports on use of traditional Korean medicine in an end-stage cancer patient with pressure injury after debridement and local flap. Methods: A pressure injury with debridement and a local flap was treated using herbal medicine, a carbon arc, acupuncture, dressing, and cooperation in plastic surgery. Pressure injury was followed up with photographs. Results: On the 22^nd day of treatment (26 days after the debridement and local flap), redness, swelling, and the condition of pressure injury were all improved. Moreover, the condition of the pressure injury was good without dressing. Conclusions: These results show that traditional Korean medicine may have a positive effect on a pressure injury and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. However, further study is needed to confirm these findings.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Tonsil is rich in lymphatics, blood vessels, muscle, nearby nerve fibers and epithelium. All of these are potential sources of malignancy. Malignancy of the tonsils is an uncommon entity that accounts for little more than 0.5% of new malignancies in the United States every year. Approximately, more than 70% of malignancies in this region are squamous cell carcinoma. In this report, I introduce a case of 47 year male patient who has right tonsillar cancer that is squamous cell carcinoma(T4N3M0). After three times chemotherapy, the patient refused to get conventional western medical treatment including chemotherapy and surgical operation. After 8 month of traditional oriental medical treatment using allegen removed Rhus Verniciflua Stokes(ARV), the size of cancer mass decreased and mass showed necrosis at inner portion. The patient improved pain in the neck. More case will be needed in order to determine the effect of ARV on tonsillar cancer.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.827-834
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• 2008

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid malignancy. It has better prognosis and rarer incidence of distant metastasis than other types of thyroid malignancy. However, once distant metastasis happens, its result will be bad. They mostly spread to the lungs and bones. and rarely to the brain. We report a patient with a papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the lymph nodes. the ribs. the brain, and the lungs. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, radioiodine ablation, rib partial resection, and lung wedge resection. However, upon progress of metastasis. the patient insisted on being treated with traditional Korean medical treatment using allergen-removed Rhus Verniciflua Stokes (A-RVS) instead of the conventional treatment including chemotherapy. The size of the tumor partly decreased, and the patient showed no side effects. This case report brings forth the importance of a thorough study in papillary thyroid carcinomas and their metastasis from the traditional Korean medical point of view, along with the long-term effect of allergen-removed Rhus Verniciflua Stokes (A-RVS).

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.61-74
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• 2009

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology foot massage (RFM) to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety for hospitalized cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was conducted at the East-West Cancer Center at Daejeon University; Using an waiting list and non-treatment control research design, we compared the results of control group and to that of the experimental group. The study consisted of 14 hospitalized cancer patients being admitted to the East-West Cancer Center of Daejeon University Dunsan Oriental Hospital in Korea. We measured FACT-G (Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General) and STAI (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scale before, after and 48 hours after the intervention. The patients received 30 minute RFM 5 times a week. Results: There was an average increase on the FACT-G, Physical, total scale and decrease of STAI 1 scale in the treatment group compared with control group (P < 0.05). Anxiety in the treatment group showed significant decrease compared to control group. It suggests that RFM may alleviate cancer-related anxiety and contribute to the improvement in quality of life among cancer patients. Therefore, there was limited equivalences with experimental group. Conclusions: We concluded that RFM can be considered a supportive treatment used in combination with chemotherapy.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2011

Background : Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancy in the world. Types of lung cancer are Non small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Subtypes of Non small cell lung cancer are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Knowing the type of lung cancer is important in determining both treatment and prognosis. Recently, due to newly developed anti-cancer drugs, squamous cell carcinoma has relatively poor prognosis than non-squamous cell carcinoma. Case : We report a squamous cell lung cancer case treated with allergen removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes (aRVS) extract. The patients initially diagnosed stage squamous cell lung carcinoma, but she refused recommended operation. She initiated aRVS extract monotherapy in October. 2006. The follow up Computed tomography in March. 2007, she diagnosed stable disease of tumor response on aRVS treatment. However, this case was lost to follow up for 6 months while she was treated with tomotherapy. In October 2007, she came back to our cancer center after diagnosed stage IV metastasized lung to lung, and aRVS monotherapy was restarted. She had survived 2 years after metastasis of squamous cell lung carcinoma. Conclusion : Allergen removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes(aRVS) sucessfully prolonged overall survival of a squamous cell lung cancer patient.