Classic Chinese Medicine Acupuncture as an Adjunct to Chemotherapy in Late-Stage Pancreatic Cancer with Multiorgan Metastases: A Case Report

Late-stage pancreatic cancer carries a poor prognosis, and patients often experience debilitating symptoms and limited tolerance to chemotherapy. 1,4 Integrative approaches that support treatment tolerance, symptom relief, and functional stability remain of growing clinical interest. 9 This report presents the case of a 65-year-old male with late-stage pancreatic cancer who demonstrated substantial symptomatic improvement, marked reduction in CA19-9 levels, and radiographic tumor regression while receiving standard chemotherapy and classic Chinese medicine acupuncture (as previously described). 17 The patient also experienced a significant decrease in analgesic requirements and improved treatment adherence during the same period. 10 This case suggests that classic acupuncture—rooted in classic Chinese medical theory—may serve as a supportive adjunctive modality for selected patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic malignancy. 16