Case report: Herbal treatment of neutropenic enterocolitis after chemotherapy for breast cancer

Abstract

In this case report, a 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe NE after receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The patient with breast cancer was treated with a single cycle of docetaxel (140 mg) + epirubicin (130 mg) + cyclophosphamide (0.9 g) chemotherapy. However, the woman presented with symptoms of fatigue and diarrhea 5 days later accompanied with severe neutropenia according to the routine blood test. The computed tomography examination displayed the thickening and swelling of the colorectal wall. After the diagnosis of NE, the woman received antibiotics and supportive treatment, but her symptoms were not improved. The Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) diagnostic pattern was then designed for the patient. The patient was administered with two CHM decoctions. One decoction contained 24 kinds of herbal materials, and the other one was called pure ginseng decoction. These two decoctions were administered to the patient 2 or 3 times per day to tonify the spleen, nourish Qi and blood, and remove phlegm and damp heat symptoms. After the CHM treatment lasting for 10 days, the symptoms of the patient were improved, and she was discharged. In conclusion, CHM treatment played an indispensable role in curing the woman with chemotherapy-induced NE.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• chemotherapy
• neutropenic enterocolitis
• chinese herbal medicine