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Integrated medicine in oncology: Enhancing radiotherapy outcomes in gastric cancer through traditional and conventional approaches
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R. Xue   , Y. Ma , T. Yang |
| Gastrointestinal Specialty Hospital, Shanghai General Hospital Jiuquan Hospital (People's Hospital of Jiuquan), Jiuquan City, Gansu, 735000, China , JQmayan@hotmail.com |
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Abstract: (17 Views) |
Background: Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of gastric cancer, particularly in locally advanced cases, but its clinical benefit is often limited by gastrointestinal and systemic toxicities. Conventional approaches provide mainly symptomatic relief, while Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been explored for its potential to reduce adverse effects, improve tolerance, and support recovery. Materials and Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI (2000–2024). Eligible studies included clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews evaluating radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and TCM-based interventions in gastric cancer. The focus was on toxicity reduction, treatment adherence, quality-of-life outcomes, and underlying biological mechanisms. Results: Evidence indicates that integrating radiotherapy and chemotherapy with TCM modalities-such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary therapy-may alleviate mucosal injury, nausea, fatigue, and systemic inflammation. Reported benefits include higher treatment completion rates, improved quality-of-life scores, and modulation of inflammatory biomarkers. However, heterogeneity in trial design and the absence of large randomized controlled studies limit definitive conclusions. Conclusion: Integrating TCM with conventional oncological care may enhance radiotherapy outcomes in gastric cancer by reducing treatment-related toxicities and supporting patient resilience. Future well-designed clinical trials are required to confirm efficacy and establish standardized integrative protocols. |
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| Keywords: Stomach neoplasms, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, integrative medicine, medicine, Chinese traditional. |
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Full-Text [PDF 603 kb]
(6 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review article |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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