Significance of Kampo medicine for cancer supportive care: Overview

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundCancer has been the number one cause of death in Japan since 1981. Advanced or recurrent cancers need strong chemotherapies to control their growth. On the other hand, tumor‐bearing patients experience pain, fatigue, anorexia, cold sensation, sarcopenia, and frailty. Surgery and radiation therapy also cause adverse events such as ileus, infection, oral mucositis and diarrhea.ProblemsCancer supportive care includes all measures to prevent or ameliorate side effects of any treatments including anti‐cancer agents, with physical, mental, social, and spiritual care (survivorship care). Neutropenia and nausea/vomiting are generally well controlled in clinical settings owing to the progress in granulocyte‐colony stimulating factors and anti‐emetics. However, anorexia, general malaise, and peripheral neuropathy are refractory to modern medical care.SolutionsRecently, evidence is accumulating on the efficacy of Kampo medicines in the management of refractory symptoms. Furthermore, action mechanisms of each Kampo formula and its components have been elucidated by basic research.ConclusionsIn this symposium, we learned state‐of‐the art progress in basic and clinical research in the field of cancer supportive care. In addition to the reports on the Japanese situation, we listened to German viewpoints on this theme.