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Adding acupuncture to radiofrequency treatment improves its effect on lung cancer
Combining acupuncture with radiofrequency surgery can significantly enhance its clinical effect in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), Chinese clinicians report. One hundred and twenty-two NSCLC patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the control group were given radiofrequency ablation therapy only, while patients in the intervention group were given additional acupuncture aimed at tonifying the Kidney and removing blood stasis. Points used included Zusanli ST-36, Xuanzhong GB-39, Dazhu BL-11, Taixi KID-3, Houxi SI-3, Ququan LIV-8 and Feishu BL-13. The results showed that acupuncture significantly enhanced the clinical effect of the radiofrequency therapy and the quality of life of the patients. The total effective rate for treatment in the intervention group was 90.16%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (67.21%). Markers of tumour activity (cytokeratin) and bone breakdown (N-telopeptide, osteocalcin) showed improvement in both groups after treatment, however levels in the intervention group were significantly better. At six-month follow-up the incidence of the bone metastasis in the acupuncture group was 14.75%, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (49.18%).
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