Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Clin Oncol. Mar 24, 2026; 17(3): 116534
Published online Mar 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v17.i3.116534
Published online Mar 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v17.i3.116534
Adjuvant role of traditional Chinese medicine in postoperative gastric cancer
Xue-Fei Zhao, Yan-Jiao Zhang, Shao-Li Wang, Zhen Liu, Department of Gastroenterology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Feng-Mei Lian, Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
Co-first authors: Xue-Fei Zhao and Yan-Jiao Zhang.
Co-corresponding authors: Feng-Mei Lian and Zhen Liu.
Author contributions: Zhao XF and Zhang YJ searched the relevant literature and drafted this manuscript and figures, they contributed equally to this article, they are the co-first authors of this manuscript; Wang SL, Lian FM, and Liu Z contributed to the revision and improvement of the manuscript; Lian FM and Liu Z provided the idea of the manuscript, they contributed equally to this article, they are the co-corresponding authors of this manuscript; and all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Supported by the High Level Chinese Medical Hospital Promotion Project - Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Evidence-Based Research Special Project, No. HLCMHPP2023085.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Zhen Liu, MD, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange (North Line Pavilion), Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China. doctorliuzhen@126.com
Received: November 14, 2025
Revised: December 2, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: March 24, 2026
Processing time: 130 Days and 1.6 Hours
Revised: December 2, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: March 24, 2026
Processing time: 130 Days and 1.6 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This article comprehensively summarizes the multifaceted role of traditional Chinese medicine in postoperative gastric cancer care. We detail how traditional Chinese medicine strategies, ranging from herbal formulas to strengthen body resistance, eliminate toxins, and prevent metastasis, to acupuncture for improving gastrointestinal function, contribute to enhanced recovery, reduced recurrence, and improved quality of life. The paper also explores the bioactive compounds of herbs and their molecular mechanisms, alongside ongoing clinical trials, advocating for an evidence-based integrative approach to improve patient outcomes.