Cutting-edge and topical issues in the treatment of breast cancer with traditional Chinese medicine based on CiteSpace bibliometric analysis

Background: Breast cancer poses a significant health threat to women, marked by high incidence and mortality rates. Although modern treatment primarily involves surgery and chemotherapy, which may reduce quality of life, limited analysis exists on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on this aspect. In this paper, bibliometric software was used to study the literature related to TCM in the treatment of breast cancer to provide researchers with new insights and directions for development. Methods: By using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we conducted an analysis of literature on TCM in breast cancer treatment from the Web of Science Core Collection (2013–2023). The assessment encompassed countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and references, providing a comprehensive overview of developments in the field. Results: Analyzing 7419 articles, this study revealed an increasing trend in TCM research on breast cancer from 2013 to 2023. China and its institutions, particularly Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, made significant contributions. Liu Zhishun emerged as the most prolific author, while Y. Macpherson received the highest number of citations. The journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine received the highest number of citations. Research primarily centers on TCM approaches for enhancing breast cancer patients’ quality of life and elucidating their underlying mechanisms. Conclusion: Numerous studies have investigated TCM in treating female breast cancer, revealing treatment trends, analyzing major research topics, currently focusing on acupuncture, breastfeeding, and TCM, which have a greater impact on positively ameliorating breast cancer. Influential authors and publications were also identified. These insights provide valuable guidance for future research, contributing to the foundation for developing effective TCM strategies for breast cancer.