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Tumors are one of the serious diseases threatening human life and health. Most tumor patients are diagnosed at a non-early stage, often at mid to late stages, requiring long-term and continuous treatment to correct certain imbalances in the body, eliminate recurrence factors, reduce the chances of metastasis, and even eradicate the disease. TCM treatment of tumors has no significant toxic side effects and can be taken continuously for several years, but it must be guided by the principle of syndrome differentiation, either attacking, nourishing, or a combination of both, and should never be a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
In the case of tumors, there is both a “deficiency of the vital (zheng)” aspect and an “excess of evil (xie) (mass)” aspect, often a mixed condition of deficiency and excess. In clinical practice, it is often necessary to use various methods in combination, as relying solely on one method is unlikely to be effective.
There are two different viewpoints in TCM regarding tumor treatment. One advocates for a primary focus on “attacking,” believing that tumors are “evil” and that eliminating the “evil” will naturally restore health, opposing the use of “nourishing” as it may exacerbate the disease; the other advocates for “nourishing,” believing that “evil” arises from deficiency, and that “attacking” can only further weaken the vital energy, thus it should be “nourished” to strengthen the vital energy and drive out the “evil,” opposing the use of “attacking” as it is said that “attacking methods can only be effective temporarily.” These are two extremes, both of which are one-sided. “Nourishing the vital will eliminate the evil,” and “when the evil is gone, the vital is at peace”; both aspects must be considered. Treatment of tumors should comprehensively consider both the “vital” and the “evil” aspects, as the condition is not static but constantly changing. Clinically, the “evil,” “vital,” “deficiency,” and “excess” are intricately intertwined, and treatment should be based on the specific situation of the patient: “if deficient, nourish it; if excessive, attack it,” applying syndrome differentiation in treatment. When attacking the evil, one must protect the vital energy; when nourishing the deficiency, one must consider the evil energy, ensuring that “nourishing does not hinder the evil, and attacking does not harm the vital.” As Zhang Jingyue stated in the “Treatise on Accumulation”: “The key to treating accumulation lies in knowing the appropriateness of attacking and nourishing, and the appropriateness of attacking and nourishing should be discerned based on urgency. If the accumulation is recent and the vital energy is not damaged, it is not advisable to delay, as delaying will allow it to grow stronger and become harder to control; thus, it is urgent to attack the accumulation quickly. If the accumulation has persisted for a long time and the vital energy is increasingly deficient, attacking it will not reach the accumulation, but will harm the stomach energy, leading to greater deficiency with more attacks.” This is very practical.
Common tumor treatment methods include:
(1) Nourishing the Vital and Expelling the Evil Method:
Traditional Chinese medicine views the deficiency of vital energy as an internal factor in tumor formation, believing that “wherever the evil gathers, the energy must be deficient,” and “the formation of accumulation is due to insufficient vital energy, allowing the evil energy to take hold.” This is similar to modern discussions on immune dysfunction and tumor etiology. Most tumor patients have a long disease course and have undergone surgery or radiotherapy/chemotherapy, leading to weakened bodies and damaged vital energy. Therefore, the focus should be on nourishing the vital, avoiding exclusive attacks without nourishment, and not falling into the trap of deficiency. Based on the different emphases of qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency, medications should be flexibly administered according to the syndrome. Commonly used herbs include: Hong Shen (Red Ginseng), Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng), Tai Zi Shen (Prince Ginseng), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Pao Shen (Soaked Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Lian Mi (Lotus Seed), Sheng Di (Raw Rehmannia), Shu Di (Cooked Rehmannia), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Bei Sha Shen (North American Ginseng), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Tian Dong (Asparagus), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Dang Gui (Angelica), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Fu Zi (Aconite), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Yuan Rou (Longan), Jun Ling Zhi (Lingzhi Mushroom), Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum), and Han Lian Cao (Eclipta). The application of TCM nourishing methods not only protects and restores against leukopenia and organ dysfunction caused by chemical drugs but also enhances the body’s immune mechanisms to exert its own immune treatment effects.
(2) Detoxifying and Reducing Swelling Method:：
Applicable for cases of internal toxicity, emotional stagnation leading to heat, or heat damage caused by radiotherapy/chemotherapy, or internal heat and stasis caused by infection. Common detoxifying and swelling-reducing herbs include: Ban Zhi Lian (Scutellaria), Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis), Ku Shen (Sophora), Long Dan Cao (Gentiana), Xia Ku Cao (Prunella), Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia), Ban Lan Gen (Isatis), Zi Cao (Lithospermum), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), Huang Lian (Coptis), Da Huang (Rhubarb), and Huang Qin (Scutellaria).
(3) Activating Blood and Dispelling Stasis Method:：
TCM believes that “qi is the commander of blood,” and “when qi moves, blood moves.” The formation of tumors is related to qi deficiency or stagnation, and blood stasis leading to internal masses. The method of activating blood and dispelling stasis is one of the important methods in TCM tumor treatment. Commonly used herbs for this purpose include San Leng (Sparganium), E Zhu (Curcuma), San Qi (Notoginseng), Dan Shen (Salvia), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Hong Hua (Safflower), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Dang Gui (Angelica), Dan Pi (Moutan), and Chi Shao (Red Peony).
(4) Unblocking Meridians and Dissolving Masses Method:
Stagnation in the meridians leads to poor circulation of qi, blood, and body fluids, resulting in long-term accumulation and formation of masses. Herbs that unblock meridians and dissolve masses have strong anti-cancer and swelling-reducing effects. Commonly used herbs include Quan Xie (Scorpion), Feng Fang (Bee Nest), Zhe Chong (Stinging Insect), Di Long (Earthworm), Shui Zhi (Leech), Wu Gong (Centipede), and Chan Tui (Cicada Slough).
(5) Regulating Qi and Dissolving Masses Method:
TCM believes that emotional imbalance and qi stagnation obstruct the flow of qi, blood, and body fluids, leading to long-term accumulation and the formation of tumors. Regulating qi and dispersing masses helps to reduce swelling and dissolve accumulations. Commonly used herbs include Yu Jin (Curcuma), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel), Gua Pi (Melon Peel), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Ju He (Tangerine Seed), Wu Ling Zhi (Flying Squirrel Feces), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange), Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis), Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan), and Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel).
(6) Resolving Phlegm and Softening Hardness Method:
The mutual accumulation of qi and phlegm, and the intersection of phlegm and stasis, over time leads to the formation of masses, which is another characteristic of tumor formation. The method of resolving phlegm and softening hardness is used for tumors characterized by qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction. Commonly used herbs include Ban Xia (Pinellia), Dan Nan Xing (Arisaema), Wa Leng Zi (Cochinchina Momordica), Jiang Can (Silkworm), Gua Pi (Melon Peel), Hai Zao (Sargassum), Kun Bu (Kelp), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), and Fu Hai Shi (Floating Stone).
(7) Breaking Accumulation and Resolving Masses Method:
In TCM, there is a saying regarding the treatment of masses: “Dissolve what is solid, and disperse what is hard.” Practical experience has proven that breaking accumulation and resolving masses herbs have strong anti-cancer and swelling-reducing effects. Commonly used herbs include Chuan Shan Jia (Pangolin), Bie Jia (Softshell Turtle), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Huang Yao Zi (Yellow Yarrow), Ji Nei Jin (Chicken Gizzard), and Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria), used according to the syndrome.
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