[Evaluation of therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine combined with western medicine on breast cancer after resection: analysis of 71 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine on breast cancer after surgical resection.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with breast cancer received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and TCM following resection.

Results: None of the patients died during the follow-up period. Fifty-seven patients were treated with TCM shortly after undergoing resection. Two recurrences (3.5%) and 6 metastases (10.5%) were observed in 8 patients, whose median disease free survival was 5.9 years. Fourteen patients didn't receive TCM until recurrence or metastasis emerged, with a median disease free survival of 3.5 years. There was significant difference between the two groups (P=0.033).

Conclusion: TCM combined with western medicine is efficient in preventing and delaying recurrence and metastasis.