Clinical study on detoxification of radiotherapy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma by syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine

  Objective  To observe effects of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment on the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

  Methods  A total of 99 patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma were selected and divided into observation group (52 cases) and control group (47 cases) by random number table method. Blood test indexes, radiation skin injury level, average healing time of skin injury and occurrence of symptoms after radiotherapy were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The blood test indexes of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The average healing time of skin injury in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of oral mucositis, gastrointestinal reaction, dry month and limitation of opening mouth in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Traditional Chinese medical syndrome differentiation and treatment can relieve toxic and side effects of radiotherapy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.