Kampo Treatment for Cancer

Kampo medicine originated in ancient China and developed uniquely in Japan. More than 70% of Japanese physicians use Kampo medicine in daily practice. As for cancer treatment, Kampo medicine is widely used by surgeons and oncologists. It is used in the regular practice for the treatment of cancer and cancer-related symptoms from the early stage to the terminal care. This paper describes Kampo treatment for cancer, making references to publications in clinical and basic research. Introduction Kampo medicine originated in ancient China and developed uniquely in Japan. It has been both taught to, and used by, conventional Western physicians for the last 30 years. Currently, more than 70% of Japanese physicians (including nearly 100% of Japanese obstetrics and gynaecology (Ob/Gyn) doctors) use Kampo medicine in daily practice including the university hospital, together with high-tech medical treatments like organ transplantation or robotic surgery. Kampo medicine is considered a governmentregulated prescription drug and currently 148 formulas are listed on the Japanese national insurance program. As for cancer treatment, Kampo medicine is widely used by surgeons and oncologists. It is widely used in the regular practice for the treatment of cancer and cancer-related symptoms from the early stage to the terminal care. Because Kampo medicine has been totally integrated into Western medicine in Japan, motivation to promote clinical trials is lacking. On the contrary, basic research concerning cancer treatment have piled over the last 30 years by the physicians and pharmaceutical researchers. Prevention of recurrence or metastasis of cancer cells have been well studied in basic research, however there is little data in the clinical study because it takes time to accomplish. In this review article, Kampo treatment for cancer will be described based on the clinical and basic research articles.