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.