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- E-ISSN 2288-3339
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- P-ISSN1010-0695
- E-ISSN2288-3339
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Successful Outcome of Breast Cancer Patient Refusing Conventional Treatments: A Case Report
Journal of Korean Medicine / Journal of Korean Medicine, (P)1010-0695; (E)2288-3339
2018, v.39 no.4, pp.177-182
https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.18044
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(2018). Successful Outcome of Breast Cancer Patient Refusing Conventional Treatments: A Case Report. Journal of Korean Medicine, 39(4), 177-182, https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.18044
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Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is a treatable disease, but some women reject conventional treatment in favor of unproven "alternative therapies," which may have serious implications for their survival. Therefore, a process is needed to lead them to more appropriate treatment choices. Case presentation: Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old Korean female diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (stage IIB, T2N1M0) in Nov. 2015. She refused a standard surgical resection together with chemotherapy and opted instead for moxibustion by nonmedical personnel. Consequently, her preference for alternative therapy without conventional treatment exacerbated her disease. Just a little over a year later, integrative cancer treatment, including chemotherapy based on histological founding, and complementary treatment, comprised of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, were administered for 5 months. Finally, she successfully underwent modified radical mastectomy showing a pathological complete response. She received only adjuvant chemotherapy without any alternative medicine afterwards, and she maintained a good status without recurrence. Conclusion: In the case of breast cancer patients who are resistant to surgery and chemotherapy, integrative therapy considering adverse effects from conventional treatment should be preferred to bitter opposition to alternative medicine.
- keywords
- Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, Integrative Therapy, Alternative Therapy, Adverse effect
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