What are the drugs for treating esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor. Its incidence and mortality rate are second only to gastric cancer. Many people are very afraid of this disease. Many patients do not know what drugs are available to treat esophageal cancer. There are two types of drugs for treating esophageal cancer: Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Let's learn about them together!

Chinese medicine for the treatment of esophageal cancer

Traditional Chinese medicine has its own unique advantages in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The advantage of Chinese medicine in the treatment of esophageal cancer is that it has a certain inhibitory effect on tumors, has no side effects, can improve human immunity, reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs, improve the quality of life of patients, and prolong survival time. Chinese medicine gives full play to its advantages for adjuvant treatment. Literature research has shown that some Chinese patent medicines can enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs, induce tumor cell apoptosis, inhibit cancer cell proliferation, reduce the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis, such as: Shenyi Capsule, Mannan peptide, Jinshenjiao Jiuzheng Mixture, etc. In addition, Chinese patent medicines that can be used alone, such as: Zhenxiang Capsule, Anticancer Ping Pills, Esophageal Ping Powder, Huachansu Oral Liquid, Huachansu Capsule, Donglingcao Tablets, Donglingcao Syrup, Brucea Oil Oral Emulsion, Pingxiao Capsule, etc. Patients with advanced pain can use Asafoetida Huapi Paste and Toad Venom Analgesic Paste; those with dysphagia can take: Jinshenjiao Jiuzheng Mixture, Shenlong Pills, Esophageal Ping Powder, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine plays an irreplaceable role in all stages of esophageal cancer treatment. It can control the disease and greatly improve the patient's quality of life.

Western medicine chemotherapy for esophageal cancer

Chemotherapy is a common method for treating esophageal cancer, especially an important treatment for advanced esophageal cancer, and it has a more direct inhibitory effect on tumors. Commonly used chemotherapy drugs for esophageal cancer in clinical practice include: mitomycin, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, tegafur, etc. These drugs have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to evaluate which drug is the best drug for treating esophageal cancer. For example, cisplatin has the advantages of a broad anti-cancer spectrum and strong effects, but it is easy to cause kidney toxicity; mitomycin has a high efficacy, but the bone marrow suppression effect is also strong. In addition, no matter what kind of chemotherapy drug, it will cause damage to the human body. Most patients find it difficult to tolerate several courses of chemotherapy. Many esophageal cancer treatments are often combined with traditional Chinese medicine to relieve pain and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.