Objective: To study the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Ninety-two patients with NSCLC were randomly divided into combined treatment group (n=50) and radiotherapy group (n=42). The former group was given TCM in combination with radiotherapy, and the latter group received radiotherapy only. The adverse effects and quality-of-life (QOL) of all the patients were observed after the treatments.
Results: The incidence of adverse effects was much lower in combined treatment group than in radiotherapy group, and significantly greater improvement in QOL of the patients was observed in the former group (P<0.01).
Conclusion: TCM in the combined treatment for patients with NSCLC can reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy, and improve the life quality of the patients.