A case of Advanced Gastric cancer patient treated by Korean Medicine monotherapy

Article information

J Korean Med. 2019;40(4):91-100
Publication date (electronic) : 2019 December 5
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.19044
1Dept. of East-West Cancer center, Department of Internal Medicine, Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University
2Department of Internal Medicine, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University
Correspondence to: Sojung Park, Dept. of East-West Cancer center, Department of Internal Medicine, Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-42-470-9134, Fax: +82-42-470-9008, E-mail: vivies@dju.ac.kr
Received 2019 October 25; Revised 2019 November 18; Accepted 2019 November 20.

Abstract

Objectives

The present study reports case of an advanced gastric cancer patient who did not receive resection and was treated with Korean Medicine (KM) monotherapy.

Methods

A 59-year-old female patient diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer visited the Dunsan Korean medicine Hospital of Daejeon University on April 15, 2018 for the Korean medicine treatment. The patient was treated with KM for approximately 1 year, from May, 2018 to May, 2019. Computed tomography (CT) was used to follow-up of the tumor site. Laboratory analysis and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0 were used to evaluate the safety of our treatment.

Results

The patient’s quality of life (QOL) and related symptoms improved during the treatment.

Conclusion

This study suggests that KM may help to improve QOL of advanced gastric cancer patients. This is a valuable report that shows the natural history of Korean gastric cancer invasion to deeper layers over time.

Introduction

After thyroid cancer, gastric cancer is the most common carcinoma for both genders combined as of 2016. Gastric cancer occurs in 35.4 cases per 100,000 people, and the prevalence rate is 273,7011). The prognosis of gastric cancer is divided into Early Gastric Cancer (EGC) and Advanced Gastric Cancer (AGC) according to the invasion of the mucous membrane. EGC has a 5-year survival rate of 90 %; however, AGC has a poor prognosis with a high relapse rate of 79 % within 2 years and a median survival of less than 12 months after relapse2,3). The general treatment for gastric cancer is radical resection, which involves surgical removal of the part or all of the lesion and lymph nodes. After surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy should be performed in consideration of the patient’s condition. However, major side effects of surgery include symptoms of digestive and absorption disorders, such as dumping syndrome, gastric acid reflux, and anemia. Other side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, decreased immunity, numbness of the hands and feet, fatigue, and weight loss, all of which can cause a deterioration of patients’ quality of life2). These side effects usually last about six months after chemotherapy and can last longer depending on the individual’s social and biological environment4). With a gradual increase of the incidence and survival rates of gastric cancer, there is a growing awareness that social and psychological problems of gastric cancer patients should be considered. The quality of life itself is suggested as the sole criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment 5).

This case is a report of a female patient who progressed to AGC after being diagnosed with EGC and who did not receive special treatment for 3 years due to side effects of surgery and chemotherapy. The patient only received KM monotherapy, improved cancer-related symptoms, and continued to have excellent quality of life during the course of treatment

Report of the case

Patient consent and Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University Institutional Review Board (IRB) deliberation (DJDSKH-19-E-07-1) were obtained for the case study.

1. Patient characteristics and medical history

A 59-year-old woman diagnosed with EGC (adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated) at Korean Health Examination Center on January 22, 2015 was recommended to address a higher-level hospital. She visited ○○ University hospital, but was refused to get surgery and chemotherapy due to the side effects. She only received symptomatic treatment. On December 27, 2017, the patient visited the emergency department of ○○ University hospital with the complaints of melena, palpitation, and weakness. Gastrointestinal bleeding was also found, and the patient received cauterization, recommended for gastrectomy. The patient also refused surgery and was discharged from the hospital. On June 2, 2018, melena recurred. After an emergency department visit at ○○ University hospital, gastrointestinal endoscopic cauterization was performed, and the patient diagnosed with an AGC-Borrmann type 3, which means progression of malignant neoplasm. The patient had no previous history of alcohol of drug abuse or smoking, and had no specific family and past history.

2. Diagnosis and treatment

The patient was medium build with the body mass index 22.83, height 148cm, and body weight 50kg. She complained of chest discomfort (painful esophagus with a blocked esophagus along the sternum), and dyspepsia (bloating at xiphoid process after meal), weakness, and anorexia. Her diet consisted of a diet for cancer patients, and she ate 3 meals a day, 1 bowl per meal. She had a banana- sized stool three times a day, and slept 4–5 hours per day shallowly. Her tongue texture was pale red and dry with thick and white fur, and the pulse was fine and faint. Accordingly, the symptom differentiation was diagnosed as “Deficiency of Qi and blood (氣血兩虛)

Periodic KM monotherapy was continued for one year with two weeks of in-patient treatment every month over twelve times from June 11, 2018, to May 28, 2019. In terms of herbal medicine, we prescribed Gongjin-Dan (供辰丹) (GJD) once before breakfast, Samchilchoongcho-Jung (三七蟲草錠) (SCCCJ) three times after meal, and Geonchil-Jung (乾漆錠) (GCJ) three times after meal per day. The Prescription and Compositional Volume of Drugs are summarized in Table 1. Acupuncture was performed twice daily (morning and afternoon) mainly at 合谷(LI14), 衝陽(ST42), 足三里(ST36), 上巨虛(ST37), 下巨虛(ST39), 神門(HT7), 太谿(KI3). Needles were made of stainless steel needles (0.20×30mm, DongBang Co. Seoul, Korea), and immersion was carried out for 15 minutes at the depth of 10mm. Moxibustion treatment was performed twice a day for 30 minutes. Moxibustion was performed once in the both core of palms and foot, or once in the umbilicus. Dry cupping therapy was performed on the shoulder and back once a day for 5 minutes.

Prescription and Compositional Volume of Drugs

3. Evaluation Method

1) Computed tomography (CT) results

On August 4, 2018, an abdominal CT scan showed a 4×2.5×1.5 cm tumor in the upper part of the stomach. On February 13, 2019, abdominal CT scan showed a 5×3×1.7 cm tumor, i.e. increased by 21 % from the previous size and measured by progressive disease (PD) stage based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The abdominal CT on April 15 2019 was measured at the same size as before and was measured as a stable disease (SD) stage based on RECIST6) (see Figure 1)

Fig. 1

Abdominal Computed Tomography

A: Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 4 × 2.5 × 1.5 cm size

B: Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 5 × 3 × 1.7 cm size (increase mass size)

C Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 5 × 3 × 1.7 cm size (no interval change of mass size)

2) Clinical pathology test result

During the treatment, hepatic function level such as Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (γ-GTP), and renal function level such as Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine were maintained in the normal range. There was a decrease in Red Blood Cell (RBC) at admission in June 2018, but RBC has continued to rise since then. There was no increase in inflammation-related levels such as White Blood Cell (WBC) during the treatment. In addition, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), a tumor marker of gastric cancer, remained within the normal range (see Table 2).

Laboratory findings

3) Body weight

At admission on June 11, 2018, the patient weighed 49.8 kg, and since then she recorded the maximum of 51.6 kg (December 12, 2018) and the minimum of 48.3 kg (April 23, 2019). Body weight remained constant.

4) Numeral Rating Scale (NRS) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) grade

Fatigue and dyspepsia decreased from NRS9 and NRS6 to NRS3 at discharge in June 2018, and remained at NRS 1–4 afterwards.

During one year of treatment, the patient maintained ECOG PS grade 1 (restricted in physically strenuous activity, but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature – for example, light house work, office work) and continued her activities both socially and economically by keeping a steady job before the onset (see Figure 2).

Fig. 2

Summary of Clinical outcome and treatment course

Discussion and Conclusion

From 2011 to 2016, the incidence rate of gastric cancer in Korea has decreased by 5.4% every year, and the survival rate has been gradually increasing due to the development of early diagnosis and treatment methods. Of all carcinomas diagnosed in 2016, the prevalence of gastric cancer was 23% in males and 9.5% in females1). According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)’s guidelines, resection is performed when possible. Combination therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin is recommended as the first-choice therapy3). However, in the case of resection, dumping syndrome which includes diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and heartburn may appear as side effects after surgery. 5-FU or cisplatin can cause dermatitis when contacted with drugs and intravenous phlebitis when intravenous injection. Furthermore, bone marrow suppression, digestive symptoms such as nausea, dyspepsia, and diarrhea can considerably reduce patients’ QOL. Oral medications, as such as Gemcitabin and S-1, have been developed to improve this problem; however, side effects such as hand-foot syndrome, i.e. the loss of hand and feet skin, infections caused by bone marrow suppression, and hair loss, still remain a challenge.

In the reported case, the patient was a 59-year-old woman who was diagnosed with EGC in January 2015 and refused treatment due to the side effects of resection and chemotherapy. In 2017 and 2018, melena was caused by gastrointestinal bleeding due to a gastric malignant neoplasm. At the time of the second endoscopic cauterization, malignant neoplasm was diagnosed to have progressed to Borrmann type 3 due to the invasion of the adrenal muscle layer. Since then, the patient visited a Korean medicine hospital to receive treatment and received 12 single hospitalizations from June 11, 2018 to May 28, 2019 (164 days of hospitalization in total). In KM monotherapy, GJD was prescribed to improve the fatigue. Acupuncture was performed twice a day to improved blood circulation and improve symptoms. During the treatment, CT findings on February 13, 2019, showed PD, but the patient’s dyspepsia were improved from NRS 7 to NRS 1, and fatigue also improved. Therefore, we decided to continue the then-current treatment and additionally prescribed the anticancer drug SCCCJ and GCJ. CT findings on April 15, 2019 showed SD findings, and the patient was still alive in October 2019.

There were no side effects when evaluated with NCI-CTCAE version 5.0 during the one-year treatment of Korean medicine monotherapy7). In June 2018, the results of a blood test showed that the decrease in RBC was caused by GI bleeding, after which there was no melena, and other tests showed normal range. In addition, AST, ALT, γ -GTP, BUN, and creatinine levels remained normal, indicating no hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity during treatment. The patient also maintained normal social activities, including performing her original professional occupation during treatment.

GJD has been reported to have effects on acute fatigue and persistent fatigue caused by sleep deprivation8). SCCCJ is a capsule containing panax notoginseng, panax ginseng, cordyceps militaris, and boswellia carterii. Park et al. reported anticancer effects of panax notoginseng on gastric cancer cell AGS and its stereospecific pharmacological activity in ovalbumin-induced inflammation. Accordingly, panax notoginseg has antioxidant effects by lowering the concentration of free radicals in cells and effect on the immune system9). Kang et al. reported that panax ginseng enhances phagocytosis of macrophages, NK-cell function, promotes secretion of TNF-α, and IL-1â, IL-12, dendritic cells, and induces antibody formation responses against IgM, IgG, and IgA 10). Jian et al. reported that cordyceps militaris was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells in gastric cancer cell SGC-7901, which caused cell death in so that the cell cycle stayed at G2/M11). Zhang et al. reported that boswellia carterii is involved in the Wnt/β -catenin signaling pathway and induces apoptosis through caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP, Bax/Bcl-212). GCJ is a lyophilized powder of allergen-removed Rhus Vernicflua Stokes extract (aRVS). Choi et al. reported that butein, an active ingredient of Rhus Vernicflua Stokes extract (RVS), inhibited cytokine-induced nitric oxide production and showed anti-inflammatory effects in NF-kappa B pathway. Fisetin, another active ingredient of RVS, has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-813). In addition, RVS glycoproteins are helpful in resolving immune disorders by inhibiting T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10. In clinical trials, Lee et al. reported that malignant neoplasms were reduced in size after 5 months after aRVS alone in an 82-year-old gastric cancer patient14). Acupuncture for the improvement of symptoms in cancer patients is being actively studied worldwide. For instance, Charlotte et al. reported that acupuncture is effective for pain control, anorexia, constipation, and fatigue. A review of available studies on the use of acupuncture for tumors published worldwide showed that 63% of the studies reported positive results for acupuncture15,16).

In this case, GJD, SCCCJ, and GCJ improved symptoms of the patient whose symptom differentiation was diagnosed as “Deficiency of Qi and blood (氣血兩虛)” using a combination of attack and supplement treatment(攻補兼施). In the classic works of Oriental medicine, cancer is expressed as 癰, and it is interpreted as excess in symptoms; however, in reality, it is a deficiency disease (標實本虛). The patient was easily fatigued, and her tongue was pale red, pulse was fine and faint, meaning that she was of the deficiency pattern (虛證). However, qi stagnation (氣滯) symptoms such as the stiffness of the sternum and frequent dyspepsia and Stagnation of cold-dampness(寒濕停滯) such as her tongue with thick and white fur meant the excess pattern (實證). Therefore, the basis of her disease was deficiency patterns, but her symptoms were excess patterns. On drug treatment, Rhus Vernicflua Stokes of GCJ and Panax notoginseng, Boswellia carterii of SCCCJ were used to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis(活血袪瘀) drug, as well as to eliminate the pathogenic factor for excess patterns. Panax ginseng and GJD reinforced the healthy qi (扶正) so that the patient can fulfill the deficiency. On acupuncture treatment, we mainly took the following acupunctures; LI14 (合谷), which has the effect of regulating Qi(氣) and activating blood (理氣活血), unblocking the meridian collateral (通經活絡), regulating stomach and intestines, clearing heat and releasing exterior (淸熱解表). ST42 (衝陽), which has the effect of relaxing sinews and activating collaterals (舒筋活絡), tranquilizing (安神), dispersing wind-heat of head and facial part (疏散頭面風熱). We also used ST36 (足三里), which has the effect of reinforcing the healthy qi (扶正), boosting qi and nourishing blood (益氣養血), tonifying the spleen and stomach (建脾胃), and diffusing and unblocking qi movement (宣通氣機). ST37 (上巨虛) has the effect of regulating intestines, relaxing sinews and activating collaterals (舒筋活絡). ST39 (下巨虛), which harmonizes the stomach and intestines (利腸和胃), frees the collateral vessels, and relieves pain (通絡止痛). We also used HT7 (神門), which has the effect of tranquilizing (安神寧志), harmonizing qi counter-flow (調氣逆). KI3 (太谿), which has the effect of tonifying the kidney yin (滋腎陰), removing deficiency heat (退虛熱)17). Therefore, these drugs and acupuncture treatments may have helped to prevent the growth of malignant neoplasm and relieved the symptoms related to malignant neoplasm, such as fatigue and dyspepsia.

Until now, the combination therapy of chemotherapy and Korean medical treatments has been actively studied for reducing the size of malignant neoplasms and improving symptoms. In comparison, studies on the cases without surgical intervention were insignificant. In 2000, the natural course of gastric cancer without surgery was observed in 56 cases in Japan, and in 1 case in 2012 and 2016 respectively1820). In Korea, one case was diagnosed with AGC in 2003, but the patient showed spontaneous cure after four years without treatment. There was also a case diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma in 1999 and repeated spontaneous cure and recurrence with conservative treatment for 13 years. There was also a patient diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2006 who refused surgery and only took aRVS 5 months; this case showed a decreased malignant neoplasm size and survived until July 201114,21, 22).

In a study by Tomorino et al19), an 85-year-old woman was diagnosed with EGC in 6 mm of malignant tumors in the lower third of her stomach in 2007. However, the patient hoped for conservative treatment because of rheumatoid arthritis and ischemic heart disease. The size of the tumor as maintained until 2009, but in 2010 and 2011, the size gradually increased to 12mm and invaded the mucous membrane. In May 2012, the tumor went became deeper and invaded the intrinsic myocardium, and, in November 2012, it increased to 50 mm, and the patient died of bleeding in 2013 with anemia and anorexia symptoms. In a study by Junko20), an 89-year-old man was diagnosed with EGC in 1999 with a 20 mm malignancy on the front of the upper stomach. However, the patient has been periodic follow-up without intensive treatment because of his old age and state of inserting pace maker. Malignant neoplasm remained at 20 mm until 2002. However, afterwards, there has been a continuous expansion of the neoplasm’s width and depth. In 2005, it invaded the intrinsic fascia, was measured 40 mm in 2006, 60 mm in 2007, and the patient died of heart failure.

Putting together the studies reviewed above, the median period of growth from EGC to AGC without treatment is 44 months; the median survival time after diagnosis of EGC is 72 months; and the 5-year survival rate is 67.8%. In addition, the growth of tumor accelerates when malignant neoplasm begins submucosal invasion. In the study of Tomorino19), the tumor size more than doubled in 12 months after submucosal invasion. In the study of Junko20), after the invasion of mucous membrane, tumor grew by 25 % in the first year, 60 % in the second year, and 60 % in the third year. This patient was also diagnosed as EGC, but received no treatment and developed to AGC 42 months later. In the following six months, tumor size increased by 21%; however, in the subsequent two months, tumor size did not increase, resulting in only 21% growth in tumor size for 12 months. This patient progressed to AGC at 42 months, which is earlier than the median progression 44 months. Therefore, the growth rate was expected to be rapid after submucosal invasion, but the tumor increased only 21% by KM monotherapy, and the tumor stopped growing. Therefore, the results of the present report are meaningful in that they demonstrate that KM monotherapy can suppress tumor growth, while maintaining body weight and social functioning of the patient. Our results also contribute to the body of work on the natural history of gastric cancer. However, there are only two cases to be compared with. Therefore, more comparisons would be needed in further research. Another limitation of the present report is a short period of one year, which requires a continuous follow-up. Finally, an endoscopic confirmation is needed for bleeding from the malignant neoplasm in the stomach.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2018R1C1B6007898), Republic of Korea.

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Abdominal Computed Tomography

A: Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 4 × 2.5 × 1.5 cm size

B: Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 5 × 3 × 1.7 cm size (increase mass size)

C Known stomach cancer; lesser curvature side of upper body; 5 × 3 × 1.7 cm size (no interval change of mass size)

Fig. 2

Summary of Clinical outcome and treatment course

Table 1

Prescription and Compositional Volume of Drugs

Prescription Compositional Volume of Drugs(mg)
Gongjin-Dan
(供辰丹)
Cervi Parvum(73.4), Angelica Gigas Root(73.4), Cornus Fruit(73.4), Musk(80)
Samchilchoongcho-Jung
(三七蟲草錠)
Radix Panax notoginseng(81), Cordyceps militaris(61.5), Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer(61.5), Boswellia carterii BIRDWOOD(46)
Geonchil-Jung
(乾漆錠)
Allergen-removed Rhus Vernicflua Stokes(60)

Table 2

Laboratory findings

Laboratory findings 2018-06-11 2019-02-12 2019-05-16
WBC(103 mm3) 7.7 7 6.8
RBC(106 mm3) 3.70 3.82 4.02
Hemoglobin(g/dl) 10.1 10.7 11.6
AST(U/l) 21 16 19
ALT(U/l) 13 13 13
γ-GTP(U/l) 33 27 36
Creatinine(mg/dl) 0.74 0.61 0.7
BUN(mg/dl) 11.8 12.2 14.2
CEA(ng/ml) 2.43 1.24 1.8
CA19-9(ng/ml) 26.24 21.51 26.21

Abbreviation

WBC, white blood cell; RBC, red blood cell; AST, Aspartate aminotransferase

ALT, Alanine aminotransferase; γ – GTP, Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase

BUN, Blood Urea Nitrogen; CEA, Carcinoembryonic Antigen; CA19-9, Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9