The Journal of Practical Medicine >

2026 , Vol. 42 >Issue 5: 723 - 733

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.05.001

Expert Consensus

Consensus on integrative medicine cooling therapy management during the peri-chemotherapy period for breast cancer

  • Huan LIN ,
  • Hongsheng LI ,
  • Mei HUANG ,
  • Guochun ZHANG ,
  • Neng WANG ,
  • Guanqun HUANG ,
  • Juan XU ,
  • Qingfeng ZOU ,
  • Xingyuan SHI ,
  • Wenguang HE ,
  • Feng LI ,
  • Yanqing CAI ,
  • xiaoping HUANG ,
  • Qiongdiao HUANG ,
  • Zejuan YANG ,
  • Runmei LUO ,
  • Jiewen ZHANG ,
  • Yi TANG ,
  • Chaoliang XU ,
  • Hongfei GAO ,
  • Weicai CHEN ,
  • Hao HU ,
  • Yongsheng YAO ,
  • Chu HUANG ,
  • Jiewen HUANG ,
  • Yichao HUANG ,
  • Yeyan LEI ,
  • Ming LUO ,
  • Zhe WU ,
  • Nangui YUAN ,
  • Yongting LIN
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Received date: 2025-11-08

  Online published: 2026-03-09

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Abstract

Breast cancer stands as one of the most prevalent malignant tumors among women globally. Chemotherapy， being a crucial element in breast cancer treatment， is frequently linked to diverse side-effects， including alopecia and hand-foot syndrome. These adverse reactions can significantly undermine patients' psychological health and quality of life. In response to this issue， international research has indicated that cooling therapy can effectively decrease the incidence of alopecia； however， 16% to 84% of patients still encounter hair loss. Clinical practice has proven that combining traditional Chinese medicine with chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment can further reduce the incidence of alopecia and hand-foot syndrome， relieve patient discomfort， improve the quality of life， and offer chemosensitizing and efficacy-enhancing effects. Nevertheless， there is a deficiency of standardized protocols in practical applications. To further standardize and optimize clinical practice， a multidisciplinary expert panel consisting of breast oncology specialists， oncological traditional Chinese medicine experts， and nursing science professionals was assembled. After multiple rounds of deliberation and revision， this consensus document was finally formulated. This consensus standardizes Integrative Medicine Cooling Therapy Management from multiple perspectives， such as scope， terminology and definitions， theoretical bases， implementation procedures， characteristic TCM therapies， and efficacy assessment. It especially emphasizes the implementation procedures during chemotherapy and characteristic TCM treatment methods. The document puts forward seven evidence-based recommendations to offer standardized guidance for clinical practice.

Key words： breast cancer; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; hand-foot syndrome; integrative medicine cooling management; consensus

Cite this article

Huan LIN , Hongsheng LI , Mei HUANG , Guochun ZHANG , Neng WANG , Guanqun HUANG , Juan XU , Qingfeng ZOU , Xingyuan SHI , Wenguang HE , Feng LI , Yanqing CAI , xiaoping HUANG , Qiongdiao HUANG , Zejuan YANG , Runmei LUO , Jiewen ZHANG , Yi TANG , Chaoliang XU , Hongfei GAO , Weicai CHEN , Hao HU , Yongsheng YAO , Chu HUANG , Jiewen HUANG , Yichao HUANG , Yeyan LEI , Ming LUO , Zhe WU , Nangui YUAN , Yongting LIN . Consensus on integrative medicine cooling therapy management during the peri-chemotherapy period for breast cancer[J]. The Journal of Practical Medicine, 2026 , 42(5) : 723 -733 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.05.001

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