"Is it possible to treat an elderly patient like Mr. Zhao, who is 91 years old, with cancer?" When Mr. Zhao, aged 91, was diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma, this question weighed heavily on the hearts of his entire family. Facing the challenge, the elderly man did not back down. What made the treatment path shift from "difficult" to "feasible", and from "enduring pain" to "moderately persisting" was the professional commitment of the Tumor IV Department of Yantai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital - they tailored a comprehensive plan for Mr. Zhao using the wisdom of combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine - "Western medicine for anti-tumor treatment + dynamic tonifying and inhibitory treatment with traditional Chinese medicine + individualized support". 
Nowadays, this 90-year-old man not only has a stable condition but also maintains a good quality of life. Through his own experiences, he tells us: Old age is never a forbidden zone for cancer treatment.

In April 2024, Mr. Zhao, an elderly gentleman, came to our hospital with "abdominal pain and difficulty in defecation". After undergoing a colonoscopy, the results showed that he had colon adenocarcinoma, accompanied by melanosis coli. Further imaging examinations indicated that the tumor had invaded the surrounding lymph nodes. 
"At such an advanced age, can one still withstand the treatment?" The family members were deeply worried. However, Mr. Zhao, the elderly man, was extremely determined: "As long as one can eat and walk at this age, there is still hope. I'll follow the doctor's advice and cooperate well!" The trust and composure of the elderly man laid an important foundation for the subsequent treatment.

Taking into account Mr. Zhao's advanced age of 91, his physical tolerance and the characteristics of his condition, the expert team of the Tumor IV Department held multiple discussions and decided to adopt an individualized treatment plan based on oral single-drug chemotherapy - Capecitabine Tablets, combined with the whole-course traditional Chinese medicine-based syndrome differentiation and treatment. This plan aims to control the tumor while maximizing the guarantee of quality of life.

During the initial treatment, the elderly patient experienced adverse reactions such as hand-foot syndrome, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. The medical team promptly adjusted the dosage and medication schedule, adopting a modified plan of "low dose and intermittent administration" to ensure efficacy while reducing side effects. Considering the patient's constitution, they used a syndrome differentiation-based approach to provide "tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen, softening and dispersing nodules" to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. At the same time, they combined traditional Chinese medicine external treatment methods such as ear acupuncture, acupoint patches, and moxibustion to specifically alleviate the discomfort caused by chemotherapy. After a period of time, the patient's hand-foot syndrome, loss of appetite, and diarrhea were all well controlled.

During the treatment period, the medical team guided the patient's diet and lifestyle based on traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment principles. They made comprehensive adjustments to the patient's daily routine and diet, achieving a simultaneous advancement of "strengthening the body's defenses and fighting cancer".

The follow-up assessment in June 2025 showed that Mr. Zhao's condition remained stable, with no signs of tumor progression. His weight was maintained well, and he was able to take care of himself completely - he could walk, eat, and communicate with others with ease, without showing any signs of being an elderly patient undergoing cancer treatment.

Mr. Zhao's recovery experience once again proves that advanced age is not a "forbidden zone" for cancer treatment. For elderly cancer patients, the key lies in conducting a comprehensive assessment based on age, physical condition and illness, and formulating an individualized green treatment plan combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The goal is to find a balance between efficacy and quality of life, thereby providing more treatment opportunities for elderly patients. 
The Tumor IV Department of Yantai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has always adhered to the concept of "integrating both Chinese and Western medicine, applying syndrome differentiation and treatment, and implementing precise measures". It has assembled a professional team and deeply integrated traditional Chinese wisdom with modern technology to customize individualized plans for patients from multiple dimensions. Here, there are constantly emerging cases of successful treatment for the elderly, which is the best practice of "centering on the patients" - In the future, the department will continue to use superb medical skills and humanistic care to illuminate the hope of life for more cancer patients and escort them on a quality treatment journey.