摘要
Aiming at starting the ball rolling and contributing humble effort to promote CTM （Chinese traditional medicine）, we performed the present study to assess the therapy response of Chinese herbal decoction compared to conventional therapy on critical ill patients of advanced liver cancer. A total of 6 patients （1 female and 5 males） with histologically confirmed liver cancer were included in this retrospective observational clinical trial. We administered Chinese medicine （Gan Decoction, mixed with a variety of effective herbal components） to help them to recover from poor condition. In the meantime, conventional treatment of surgical resection and artery catheterization chemotherapy was applied in cases compared. In 3 cases of CTM combined treatment, the tumor marker level decreased. Residual intrahepatic metastatic sites reduced according to ultrasonography/CT imaging, and the patients felt free from the complaint of abdominal discomfort. The quality of life has been improved, we managed to have prolonged the PFS （Progression-Free-Survival） and TTP （Time-to-Progression） from the onset to date. While in 3 cases with conventional treatment only of surgical resection and artery catheterization chemotherapy, we were not able to decrease the level of tumor marker, metastatic lesions increased according to ultrasonography/CT imaging, and the patient＇s condition worsen more. We failed in having prolonged the PFS and TTP in the compared cases of conventional treatment only. The retrospective clinical study showed no OS （overall survival） benefit for liver cancer patients treated with Gan Decoction, while the QOL （quality of life） evaluation seemed to predict survival better. Chinese herbs might be an additional choice with its better benefits and tolerability in the treatment of primary liver cancer.
