Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue on endocrine therapy- associated hot flashes symptom in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy were categorized to two groups, the control group received endocrine therapy alone, the other group is administered with Chinese herbs decoction Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue besides the endocrine therapy: Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction was administered above 6 months per year for more than 2 years. Frequency of hot flashes per day was recorded, and the effect of Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction on hot flashes symptom being assessed with Kupperman Scoring Index. RESULTS: Sixty cases were analyzed, 32 cases in endocrine therapy combining Chinese herbs decoction group, 28 cases in mere endocrine therapy group. For hot flashes symptom, in Chinese herbs decoction administration group, 7 cases (21.9%) reported symptom disappeared, 22 cases (68.7%) reported symptom alleviated, 3 cases (9.4%) reported symptom not changed; in endocrine therapy alone group, 5 cases (17.9%) reported symptom disappeared, 13 cases (46.4%) reported symptom alleviated, 10 cases (10/28, 35.7%) reported symptom not changed. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P=0.013). For sleeping disorder, in Chinese herbs decoction administration group, 27 cases (84.4%) reported symptom improved, 5 cases (15.6%) reported no change; in endocrine therapy alone group, 16 cases (57.1%) symptom improved, 12 cases (42.9%) reported no change in sleeping disorder (P=0.019), the difference was also of significance statistically. CONCLUSION: Long-term Chinese herbs decoction administration remarkably improved hot flashes symptom and sleeping disorder associated with endocrine therapy, meanwhile without definite toxicity and influence on the risk of recurrence of tumor.