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Diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors using integrated traditional and western medicine: Progress, challenges and reflections

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Abstract

Malignant tumors are one of the leading causes of death in the world. Considerable progresses have been made on the treatment of tumors in recent decades, especially in the prevention, early diagnosis and the model changing of therapeutics. But we are still facing tough challenges, including the increasing treatment burden and limited improvement of efficacy. In China, Chinese medicine (CM) provides a powerful arsenal to fight against tumors. CM can be well applied to the onset and progression of tumors in China, bearing the characteristics of multi-target, multi-phase and multi-effect. But there are also many problems demanding urgent attention in the use of CM. Some most debated problems in this field were summarized. We should upgrade our concepts in using CM, find its position scientifically, and establish evidence of its effect by high quality clinical research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    Xiao-feng Zhai  (翟笑枫) & Chang-quan Ling  (凌昌全)

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  1. Xiao-feng Zhai  (翟笑枫)
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  2. Chang-quan Ling  (凌昌全)
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Correspondence to Chang-quan Ling  (凌昌全).

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Zhai, Xf., Ling, Cq. Diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors using integrated traditional and western medicine: Progress, challenges and reflections. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 18, 333–338 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1082-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1082-2

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