Korean Medicine Treatment for Elderly Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Case Reports

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 84% of all lung cancers, and advancements in treatment methods have significantly improved the survival rate of NSCLC patients. However, up to 60% of NSCLC patients experience debilitating symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, and psychological distress, particularly in elderly populations. Palliative care, including complementary approaches such as traditional Korean medicine, has gained attention for alleviating treatment-related complications and improving quality of life.Case Presentation: Two elderly NSCLC patients who had undergone surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiotherapy were treated with traditional Korean medicine. The first case involved a 78-year-old female who presented with a loss of appetite, cough, and dizziness following surgery. Her treatment included Yikgeebohyul-tang, acupuncture, Chuna therapy, cupping, and herbal steam therapy. Post-treatment, improvements were observed in her appetite, quality of life, and fatigue levels. The second case involved a 79-year-old male patient who presented with decreased energy, upper limb weakness with pain, and constipation while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He was treated with various herbal formulas (<i>Hyungbangjihwang-tang</i>, <i>Saengsukjihwang-tang</i>, <i>Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang</i>, <i>Jihwangbaekho-tang</i>, and <i>Chungpaesagan-tang</i>), acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. Post-treatment, improvements were observed in his energy levels, upper limb pain, and constipation.Conclusion: These cases suggest that integrating TKM with conventional therapies may reduce treatment-related complications, improve symptom management, and enhance adherence to chemotherapy/radiotherapy through complementary effects in elderly patients. Further studies are warranted to validate these observations in broader populations.