To observe the clinical effect of combined chemotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine in treating colonic cancer. One hundred and sixty-three patients were assigned

according to their will

to two groups

105 in the traditional Chinese medicine treated group (Group A) and 58 in the combined treatment group (Group B). The Chinese herbal drug Zhao’s Weitiao No. 3 (赵氏微调 3号方

ZW3) was given to both groups

twice a day

40 mL each time

30 days as one cycle

and over 6 cycles applied in total. For patients in Group B

the chemotherapy of OLF protocol (L-OHP+LV+5-FU) was given for 4–6 cycles. The effects of treatment on the main symptoms

tumor mass

patients’ quality of life (QOL) and body weight

changes of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA)

as well as the integral effect and survival rate were observed and compared. The total effective rate in Group A and Group B was 89.52% and 86.21% respectively

on the main clinical symptoms; 86.67% and 93.10% on tumor mass

82.86% and 77.59% on QOL

85.71% and 75.86% on body weight and 76.19% and 79.31% on CEA. The integral efficacy of total beneficial rate was 73.33% and 68.97%; and the 3-year survival rate 49.52% and 46.65% in Group A and Group B. These data showed that the effect in Group A was better than in Group B in terms of clinical symptom improvement

QOL

body weight and integral beneficence increase and survival rate

though it was inferior in reducing the tumor mass and CEA level. Chinese drug ZW3 for the treatment of colonic cancer could improve the main clinical symptoms

improve the QOL

increase body weight and prolong the survival time of patients

showing a favorable integral effect.