Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment for Symptom Management in a Patient with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Objectives: To report the clinical course of a patient with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who received integrative Korean medicine treatment.Methods: Acupuncture, cupping therapy, and moxibustion were applied throughout hospitalization, whereas herbal medicine and herbal steam therapy were used only during the first admission period. Symptom severity was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records for each hospitalization period. Symptoms were classified into four categories: respiratory, gastrointestinal, systemic, and pain-related.Results: During hospitalization, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms showed overall improvement. Dyspnea and cough gradually resolved, and chest discomfort decreased to a mild level. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal fullness, belching, and nausea, subsided during hospitalization. Systemic symptoms, such as chills-fever alternation and night sweats, also improved; however, fatigue persisted. In contrast, musculoskeletal pain involving the trapezius, thigh, and lower back tended to increase during the later admission period.Conclusions: This case suggests a potential clinical role for integrative Korean medicine in symptom management in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.