|
Symptom assessment and management in patients with lung cancer undergoing conventional or traditional chinese medicine care
Bao-Jin Han1, Ya-Jie Liu2, Jia-Yue Jin1, Hong-Kun Xu3, Wen-Zheng Zhang3, Si-Meng Ren3, Xin Shelley Wang4, Jie Liu3
1 Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
2 Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
3 Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
4 Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Jie Liu
Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange Street, Xicheng, Beijing 100 053
China
Prof. Xin Shelley Wang
Department of Symptom Research, Unit 1450, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston 77030, TX
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/2311-8571.382112
|
|
Patients with lung cancer may experience various symptoms as the disease progresses, which may reduce the benefits of cancer treatment, reduce treatment compliance, delay cancer treatment, reduce the quality of life (QoL), and impact survival. This review discusses comprehensive symptom assessment and management, which are crucial for high-quality lung cancer treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is important in relieving cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer. Including patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials and practice can provide a better assessment of symptom burden and the effectiveness of symptom management. Patient-centered care with TCM in lung cancer patients may include six steps: Symptom screening, etiology investigation, comprehensive assessment, integrative management, reassessment, and regular symptom follow-up monitoring. PRO measures can be used to evaluate symptom intensity, the degree to which symptoms interfere with activities of daily living, and the QoL. Clearly defined and reliable PRO measures can enhance patient satisfaction and improve symptom control. Quantitative PRO measures developed from the TCM perspective should be considered one of the important outcome measurements in TCM care. A multidisciplinary collaborative symptom management model, including TCM and conventional therapy, will be the future goal for treating patients with lung cancer.
|
