Case Study: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment of Rectal Cancer
Patient Information
• Name: Anonymous
• Gender: Male
• Age: 38
• Initial Consultation Date: January 10, 2015
• Diagnosis: Seven days prior, the patient was diagnosed with stage II rectal cancer at a cancer hospital in Guangzhou.
• Consultation Method: Remote Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment, recommended by a cousin from Puning City.
Chief Complaints
• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, alternating constipation and loose stools for the past five years.
• Tongue Diagnosis: Pale-dark tongue, sublingual congestion (++), thick white greasy coating.
TCM Diagnosis
• Pattern Differentiation:
• Spleen deficiency with excessive dampness
• Qi stagnation and blood stasis
• Phlegm-dampness and toxic accumulation in the lower burner
Treatment Approach
• Therapeutic Principles: Strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, transform phlegm, detoxify, regulate qi, and invigorate blood circulation.
Prescriptions
Prescription 1 (TCM Decoction, One Dose per Day for Five Days)
Herb Dosage Function
Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren) 20g Strengthens the spleen, drains dampness, clears heat, reduces swelling, and resolves masses.
Patrinia (Bai Jiang Cao) 10g Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling, and drains pus; anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
Black Aconite (Hei Fu Zi) 15g (pre-decocted for 30 minutes) Warms yang, dispels cold, strengthens immunity.
White Aconite (Bai Fu Zi) 15g (pre-decocted for 30 minutes) Expels wind, transforms phlegm, disperses lumps.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) 6g Purges heat, promotes bowel movement, invigorates blood circulation.
Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) 20g Promotes qi circulation, relieves abdominal distension, supports intestinal motility.
Patchouli (Huo Xiang) 10g Resolves dampness, awakens the spleen, harmonizes the middle burner.
Prescription 2 (Chinese Patent Medicine)
• 902 Capsules (180 capsules per bottle): 4 capsules per dose, 3 times daily with warm water.
Treatment Course and Dietary Adjustments
1. Internal TCM Treatment:
• Monthly intake of five doses of the herbal decoction and two bottles of 902 capsules.
2. Dietary Guidelines:
• Avoid: Dairy products, genetically modified soy and related foods, frozen beverages, and wheat-based pastries/sweets.
• Recommended: A light, easily digestible diet, avoiding greasy, raw, and spicy foods.
3. Additional Therapies:
• Monthly colon cleansing with warm water to eliminate damp and toxic accumulations.
• Annual fasting for 3–7 days to enhance metabolic function and promote cellular repair.
4. Results:
• Symptoms disappeared after six months of treatment.
• Cancer was undetectable after one year, confirmed by hospital follow-up.
• Continued TCM therapy for three years; no recurrence observed after ten years.
Mechanism of Zhang Zhongjing’s Yi Yi Ren Bai Jiang Cao Fu Zi Tang in Treating Rectal Cancer
1. Expelling Dampness and Phlegm, Dissolving Tumors and Masses
• In TCM, rectal cancer is often linked to damp-toxin accumulation, qi stagnation, blood stasis, and spleen deficiency.
• Coix seed (Yi Yi Ren): Regulates spleen function, drains dampness, clears heat, and dissolves nodules.
• Modern research shows that coix seed contains coixenolide and coix polysaccharides, which have anti-tumor and immune-enhancing effects, helping inhibit rectal cancer cell growth.
2. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying, Anti-inflammatory and Anticancer Effects
• Patrinia (Bai Jiang Cao): A key herb for clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing abscesses, traditionally used for intestinal infections, dysentery, and abscesses.
• Research indicates that Patrinia contains flavonoids and saponins, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cancer-cell-suppressing properties, making it beneficial in colorectal cancer treatment.
3. Warming Yang and Dispelling Cold, Strengthening Vital Energy
• Aconite (Fu Zi): Warms the kidney and spleen yang, dispels cold, and relieves pain, which is essential for counteracting cold-induced damp accumulation leading to tumor formation.
• Modern pharmacology confirms that aconite alkaloids enhance immunity, promote blood circulation, and improve microcirculation, strengthening the body’s defense against tumors.
4. Harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach, Enhancing Nutrient Absorption
• Rectal cancer often causes digestive and absorptive dysfunction, leading to malnutrition and weakness.
• Coix seed improves spleen function, Patrinia reduces intestinal inflammation, and Aconite strengthens yang, collectively helping enhance nutrient absorption and support the patient’s recovery.
5. Scientific Support for the Formula’s Effectiveness
Herb Modern Pharmacological Effects
Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren) Anti-cancer, immune-enhancing, induces apoptosis in cancer cells.
Patrinia (Bai Jiang Cao) Suppresses tumor growth, reduces inflammation, and exhibits strong antioxidant properties.
Aconite (Fu Zi) Regulates immunity, strengthens body constitution, and improves microcirculation.
Conclusion
The Yi Yi Ren Bai Jiang Cao Fu Zi Tang exerts its anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including:
✔ Expelling dampness and phlegm
✔ Clearing heat and detoxifying
✔ Warming yang and dispelling cold
✔ Regulating the spleen and stomach
Both TCM theory and modern pharmacological research support the formula’s efficacy in treating rectal cancer, making it a valuable adjunct therapy for patients with cold-damp and toxin-induced tumor patterns.
For optimal results, treatment should be personalized, incorporating dietary modifications, detoxification therapies, and long-term TCM maintenance to enhance the patient’s overall health and prevent recurrence.