Clinical effect of four-combined therapy on cancer

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of four-combined therapy (high-frequency hyperthermia + chemotherapy + immuno-biological therapy + traditional Chinese medicine) on advanced cancer. Methods: Five hundred and sixty-five patients with various advanced cancer received anti-tumor treatment in the First Hospital of Changsha from July 2004 to July 2006. They were randomized into two groups (A and B). Group A (n = 223) received four-combined therapy including hyperthermia and Group B (n = 342) received three-combined therapy without hyperthermia. Hyperthermia was performed at 40°C-42°C for 60 min (once or twice every week and 6 times as one cycle) and repeated for 3-5 cycles. The clinical outcome of two groups were recorded and compared. Results: After the patients in group A received four-combined therapy, the cancer-related pain was relieved and the tumor size was decreased to different extent. There was significant difference in the clinical outcome between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Four-combined therapy involving hyperthermia has definite anti-tumor effects, light toxicity, and well tolerability. It is a good method which is worthy of popularizing in clinic.