BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- About four decades ago, fresh out of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) college, Hou Wei chose a career path with an uncertain outlook, namely treating cancer with TCM.
"It was challenging but interesting," he recalled. The reality, however, was often frustrating.
As a student and in the early years of his career, Hou found himself grappling with the abstract concepts in TCM theories -- ideas such as "yin and yang" and the "five elements" in dense classical texts. At times, he also questioned whether his prescriptions were truly effective.
Today, Hou is far more certain of his own judgment and of TCM's role in cancer care. Now director of the oncology department at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), a leading TCM institution in Beijing, he believes the rewards are clear. "I always feel a sense of achievement when a patient improves under my treatment plan," he said.
Clinical evidence supports Hou's confidence. Studies show that compared with Western medicine treatment alone, integrating TCM with Western medicine reduces the two-year postoperative recurrence and metastasis rate in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by 6 percentage points, and extends the median survival time of patients with advanced NSCLC by 3.47 months.
Although "tumor" and "cancer" are modern medical terms, Hou said China's use of TCM to address similar conditions dates back centuries. Ancient texts recorded ailments such as "ru yan," or "breast rock," describing hard breast lumps, and "yang," which means "ulcer," indicating skin conditions caused by certain diseases. Many of these descriptions closely resemble what is now understood as cancer, and ancient records contained Chinese TCM doctors' early explorations and successful experiences.
Hou believes that the knowledge accumulated by TCM over the centuries remains highly relevant to modern-day treatment.
He cited the discovery of artemisinin as an example. The breakthrough that earned its discoverer, Tu Youyou, the Nobel Prize, was inspired by TCM herbal treatments for malaria.
In the treatment of cancer, Hou explained that while Western medicine targets the tumor directly, TCM takes a holistic approach to strengthen the body constitution. He drew a "seed and soil" analogy: "It is important to both remove the seeds and improve the soil for effective cancer prevention and control."
This holistic focus, he added, gives TCM a role across the full course of the disease -- from prevention to recovery. Drawing on the TCM principle of "preventive treatment," practitioners aim to identify individual body types and tailor herbal therapies and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of cancer.
Hou takes an open-minded approach to both TCM and Western medicine, stressing the need to leverage their complementary strengths.
Although trained in TCM, he studied Western medical courses at school and, in clinical practice, advises patients to undergo diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and CT scans to better assess their condition, and to accept surgery when needed. "We now have more advanced tools -- why not use them?"
In Hou's department, which handles roughly 300,000 outpatient visits a year, this integrative approach is already in practice. A dedicated clinic provides risk assessment and follow-up management for patients with precancerous nodules and polyps detected in routine screenings.
For those already diagnosed with cancer, TCM can also make a difference in their treatment, especially in areas where Western medicine has limitations.
An example is the post-surgery treatment of elderly patients with lung cancer. "Herbs like Huangqi (astragalus) and American ginseng can markedly ease their symptoms, such as shortness of breath and persistent coughing, after partial lung resection," said Hou.
New therapies are also emerging. "Jianpi Yishen Granules," a new drug developed by researchers at the Guang'anmen Hospital, is being used to alleviate side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy while helping boost patients' immune systems.
During the recovery period, TCM therapies, including herbal remedies, psychological support, acupuncture, acupressure and Tai Chi practice, can also be integrated with Western medicine to improve the patients' health conditions, according to Hou.
"No matter what methods we adopt, the ultimate goal is to provide the best possible care for each patient," Hou noted.
In 2023, Chinese authorities issued guidelines for cancer prevention and control, which advocated establishing an integrative cancer care network combining TCM and Western medicine.
Moreover, the country has vowed to promote the preservation and innovative development of TCM as well as the integrated application of TCM and Western medicine during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
For Hou, the next step is clear. More practitioners trained in both systems are needed to carry the work forward. "Just as my mentors guided me," he said, "I hope to train the next generation for this cause." ■
