Misuse of traditional Chinese medicine may be a risk factor to tumorigenesis and progression of head and neck carcinoma in China: a hypothesis based on a case series.

Purpose: In China, many patients with head and neck carcinoma prefer traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as their first therapy. However, several components of TCM have been identified as being toxic. We hypothesize that misuse and over-application of TCM can contribute to tumorigenesis and progression of head and neck carcinoma. Results: Three head and neck cancer patients were the subjects of this report. The first patient with squamous cell carcinoma got TCM without surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy which resulted in disease progression. The patient was then subjected to palliative surgery followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The second patient with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotic gland received TMC as first-line therapy with rapid disease progression. This was followed by complete parotidectomy and postoperative CCRT. The third patient with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma took oral TVM for 8 years to treat psoriasis. Due to recent complaints he was radically operated and received postoperative CCRT. Conclusion: Due to its unclear components, potential toxicities, misuse, and over-application, TCM might contribute to tumorigenesis and progression of head neck carcinoma. We seek effective approaches to ensure the safe use of TCM.