The side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main reasons many patients cannot persevere. In fact, metastasis in cancer patients is itself a manifestation of low immunity. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy further damage the body's immunity, and the occurrence of various side effects is also predictable.

However, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the primary treatments for metastatic tumors, and their tumor-killing effect is very strong, so we cannot abandon this approach. We have treated a bladder cancer patient who developed bone metastasis, liver metastasis, and lymph node metastasis less than a year after surgery, indicating a relatively dangerous condition. Moreover, he had multiple lumbar spine metastases, which could cause paralysis in the event of a fracture.

After several cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the liver metastases disappeared, and the lymph node metastases decreased. Therefore, we cannot solely focus on the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy; we must also recognize their efficacy. Later, the patient experienced significant side effects, such as back pain, fatigue, and vomiting, with poor appetite, sleep, and bowel movements, as well as low blood counts, and he could no longer endure it. When he first came, he said he just wanted to use traditional Chinese medicine for recovery and could no longer tolerate chemotherapy. I told him, "No, you’ve responded well to the treatment, so you should persist."

We adopted a method of tonifying the kidneys and replenishing qi, combined with clearing and resolving stasis toxins, alongside chemotherapy. When he came back the second time, his symptoms had alleviated, and at least his appetite was no longer a problem, which gave him confidence. He persisted through eleven cycles of chemotherapy, and his symptoms gradually improved, with his blood counts nearly returning to normal levels. It is actually quite normal to experience side effects during chemotherapy, but because of these side effects, many lose confidence in their treatment.

Before starting chemotherapy, doctors typically assess the patient’s physical condition. If the patient is older or in a weakened state, doctors generally do not recommend radiation or chemotherapy. If your doctor advises you to continue, you should persist, as it can greatly help in controlling the tumor.