Pathologic Complete Response (pCR) in Patient With Myxofibrosarcoma Who Underwent Neoadjuvant Radiation Concurrent to Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Many patients with cancer actively explore complementary and alternative therapies to alleviate symptoms and improve the healing process. These alternative therapies are collectively referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). We present a case of a 72-year-old male who presented with a mass on the left forearm and was diagnosed with intermediate grade myxofibrosarcoma. The patient underwent neoadjuvant radiation therapy at standard dosing, and on his own volition, decided to use topical and ingestible herbal medicine concurrent to his radiation therapy. This patient's surgical specimen showed no residual tumor, a result highly uncommon with conventional radiation alone. The use of CAM among patients with cancer is widespread, but the data to support their efficacy is less abundant. Our case provides evidence to suggest that CAM therapies may add value in the treatment of cancer.