Integrative Oncology: A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis of Herbal and Allopathic Medicine in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, with management predominantly relying on allopathic modalities like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. While these conventional treatments provide potent, evidence-based tumor control, they often incur significant toxicity and compromised quality of life. In parallel, herbal medicine rooted in traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine is gaining renewed attention for its multi-targeted action on pathways including apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Preclinical and emerging clinical studies highlight the potential of phytochemicals like curcumin and quercetin not only as anti-cancer agents but also as adjuvants to alleviate treatment-related adverse effects and overcome drug resistance. This review systematically compares the principles, efficacy, and safety of allopathic and herbal interventions in oncology. By synthesizing evidence from over 40 scientific publications, in this review it proposed a shift toward an integrative oncology model that synergistically combines the targeted efficacy of conventional treatments with the supportive, multi-mechanistic benefits of validated herbal approaches. Such integration aims to enhance therapeutic outcomes, reduce morbidity, and improve holistic patient care throughout the cancer journey.