Nhu, 38, was diagnosed with stage 3C left breast cancer, having metastasized to her axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Instead of conventional treatment, she opted for traditional herbal medicine, taking it two times daily. Six months later, her condition deteriorated significantly. Dr. Pham Tuan Manh, head of oncology surgery at the Oncology Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM, stated that ultrasound results at this point revealed the tumor had grown from 2 cm to 4 cm, with further lymph node metastasis and lung invasion. Nhu subsequently began a multimodal treatment regimen, including chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiotherapy.

During her initial chemotherapy cycles, Nhu experienced side effects: hair loss, loss of appetite, complete loss of taste, nausea at the smell of food, and dry, scaly skin. Doctors intervened with symptom-reducing medications and prophylactic treatment to prevent severe thrombocytopenia, which could interrupt her treatment.

After completing chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, Nhu underwent a total right mastectomy and right axillary lymph node dissection. Post-surgery, her wound healed quickly and remained dry.

Subsequently, she received eight cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy and 50 Gy of radiotherapy, divided into 25 fractions. Doctors at the Oncology Center utilized hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy, with Nhu practicing the deep inspiration breath-hold technique to shorten treatment duration. During radiation, Nhu experienced no side effects; her treated skin remained free of redness, thanks to technicians applying soothing medication after each session.

Dr. Manh reported that after over one year of combined treatment, Nhu's health is stable. Recent follow-up examinations showed her cancer markers returned to normal levels.

Nhu received high-tech radiation therapy using intensity-modulated dose techniques. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital.

"To date, no large-scale scientific studies in Vietnam or worldwide have proven that traditional herbal medicine (thuoc nam, thuoc bac) can cure cancer," Dr. Manh stated. He added that these remedies only offer supportive effects, improving overall health, promoting blood circulation, stimulating appetite, and aiding sleep. While some medicinal herbs may contain active compounds that inhibit malignant cell growth, patients should not self-medicate or abandon their breast cancer treatment regimen without specific instructions from an oncologist.

In its early stages, cancer in general, and breast cancer specifically, often presents with few symptoms. This can lead some patients to become complacent and forgo treatment. In reality, malignant cells from early stages multiply constantly. They develop a vascular system to draw nutrients from healthy cells, leading to rapid deterioration within 6-12 months. What was once a controllable tumor can then develop distant metastasis.

Dr. Manh advises patients not to fear side effects and reject their doctor's treatment plan. In recent years, multimodal approaches—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy—have significantly improved treatment efficacy, reduced side effects, and become more affordable than in the past.

Khai Minh

*Patient's name has been changed