Combined therapy of percutaneous cryoablation and traditional Chinese medicine can be a promising strategy for elderly or advanced lung cancer patients based on a retrospective clinical study

Abstract

Presently, elderly and advanced lung cancer patients have very limited treatment options. With no promising therapy, treatment of these patients is challenging. We have reviewed 119 primary lung cancer patients who received a combined percutaneous cryoablation and traditional Chinese medicine therapy (Cryo-TCM therapy) between 2005 and 2013. Out of 119 patients, 84.1% patients were elderly or advanced lung cancer when receiving cryoablation. Overall Survival time from the time of Diagnosis (DOS) and Cryoablation (COS) was 19 and 10 months respectively, which were longer than data previously published. Patients who accepted only Cryo-TCM therapy got similar DOS as those who were treated with Cryo-TCM and other classic anticancer therapies. Thus, Cryo-TCM therapy can prolong the survival time and can be used as the main therapy for the elderly or advanced lung cancer patients in China both in quality of life and cost effectiveness.

Keywords: Cryoablation; Elderly; Lung cancer; Traditional Chinese medicine.