Korean Medicine-Based Integrative Oncology of Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer with Cachexia: A Case Report

Objective: To report a case in which Korean medicine–based integrative oncology stabilized body weight, improved symptoms, and enabled uninterrupted standard therapy in an elderly patient with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer complicated by cancer cachexia.Methods: A 71-year-old male newly diagnosed with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and cachexia received standard chemotherapy in parallel with Korean medicine–based integrative oncology. Outcomes were evaluated using chest computed tomography according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and clinical indicators including performance status, numeric rating scale for appetite and fatigue, intake score, body weight, tumor markers, inflammatory markers, and adverse events graded by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.Results: Body weight decreased from 63 kg to 53 kg after initial chemotherapy but stabilized at 53–54 kg with Korean medicine-based integrative oncology. Appetite and performance status improved, and tumor size decreased to a partial response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Laboratory markers also improved, and although neutropenia and pneumonia occurred, chemotherapy was completed without delay, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitor maintenance.Conclusion: In an elderly patient with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer and cachexia, Korean medicine-based integrative oncology with standard chemotherapy stabilized weight, improved symptoms, and enabled uninterrupted treatment leading to partial response. This case suggests potential benefits for treatment continuity and outcomes, warranting further research.