Integrating traditional Chinese medicine in managing neutropenic fever during chemotherapy for pediatric lymphoma: A case report

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q3 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing Pub Date : 2025-04-15 DOI:10.1016/j.explore.2025.103166

Szu-Yu Pan , Shi-Chen Ou , Tung-Ti Chang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Neutropenic fever (NF) is a critical complication in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. While Western medicine provides standardized management, the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric cases remains underexplored.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 14-year-old female diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who developed persistent NF following chemotherapy. Despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, her fever remained high, reaching 42.2 °C with a WBC count of 70/µL. Given concerns over liver function abnormalities (AST/ALT = 70/229 IU/L) and chemotherapy-related side effects, adjunctive TCM treatment was initiated. The treatment strategy evolved through different therapeutic phases, including resolving dampness and supporting gastrointestinal and hepatic functions, followed by alleviating heat with Sweet-Warm Approach—a TCM method aimed at dispelling Yin Fire—and later a strategy transitioned to a treatment strategy focusing on regulating lung Qi to relieve respiratory symptoms. Clinical improvements were observed, with liver function normalization on July 12^th (AST/ALT = 23/26 IU/L) and eventual resolution of fever.

Conclusion

This case highlights the potential role of TCM as a complementary approach in managing chemotherapy-related complications in pediatric patients. The tailored use of TCM strategies may offer additional benefits in supporting immune function and alleviating systemic imbalances in NF. Further studies are warranted to explore its broader application in pediatric oncology.

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结合中医药治疗小儿淋巴瘤化疗期间中性粒细胞减少热1例

背景：中性粒细胞减少热（NF）是儿科肿瘤患者化疗的重要并发症。虽然西医提供了标准化的管理，但中医作为儿科病例辅助治疗的作用仍未得到充分探索。我们报告一例14岁的女性，诊断为弥漫性大b细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL），化疗后发展为持续性NF。尽管广谱抗菌药物治疗，她的发烧仍然很高，达到42.2°C，白细胞计数为70/µL。考虑到肝功能异常（AST/ALT = 70/229 IU/L）和化疗相关副作用，开始辅助中医治疗。治疗策略经历了不同的治疗阶段，包括解湿和支持胃肠和肝脏功能，然后是温热解热-一种旨在消除阴火的中医方法-后来的治疗策略转变为专注于调节肺气以缓解呼吸道症状的治疗策略。临床情况好转，7月12日肝功能恢复正常（AST/ALT = 23/26 IU/L），发热消退。结论本病例强调了中医药作为一种辅助治疗儿科化疗相关并发症的潜在作用。量身定制的中医策略可能在支持免疫功能和减轻NF系统失衡方面提供额外的好处。需要进一步的研究来探索其在小儿肿瘤中的广泛应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing 医学-全科医学与补充医学

CiteScore

3.00

自引率

8.30%

发文量

179

审稿时长

25 days

期刊介绍： EXPLORE: The Journal of Science & Healing addresses the scientific principles behind, and applications of, evidence-based healing practices from a wide variety of sources, including conventional, alternative, and cross-cultural medicine. It is an interdisciplinary journal that explores the healing arts, consciousness, spirituality, eco-environmental issues, and basic science as all these fields relate to health.