Liver Cancer
Primary liver cancer (hereafter, liver cancer) refers to cancer arising in hepatocytes or the epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Its pathological types include hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Technical description:
Distending pain in the flanks, chest tightness, poor appetite and reduced food intake, and a wiry pulse.
In everyday terms:
- Distension and pain along both sides of the rib cage, which may feel worse with movement or pressure.
- A feeling of tightness or discomfort in the chest, with a sense of pressure or oppression when breathing or moving.
- Poor appetite and eating less; food may not seem appealing.
- The pulse feels taut and straight beneath the fingers, like a plucked string.
| Treatment Approach
Technical description:
Soothe the liver and relieve stagnation; strengthen the spleen and regulate qi.
In everyday terms:
- In TCM terms, help soothe constrained liver qi and ease stagnation, with the aim of relieving discomfort such as fullness in the chest and flanks, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- Help support spleen and stomach function, with the aim of easing symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, or loose stools.
- Help regulate the flow of qi, with the aim of easing chest tightness, abdominal distension, belching, or a sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen.
- Help promote coordination between the liver and spleen and the smooth flow of qi, with the aim of supporting more stable energy and well-being.
| Related Products
The products listed below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Technical description:
Fixed, pressure-sensitive pain; distension and fullness in the upper abdomen; a dark-purple tongue with ecchymotic patches, spots, or streaks.
In everyday terms:
- The pain stays in one place rather than moving around, and pressure makes it noticeably worse or uncomfortable.
- The upper abdomen and belly feel distended, tight, and uncomfortable; movement may also feel restricted.
- The tongue appears dark purple and lacks its usual luster and color.
- Purple ecchymotic patches, spots, or streak-like marks may be visible on the tongue.
| Treatment Approach
Technical description:
Promote qi circulation and blood flow, resolve stasis, and inhibit tumor growth.
In everyday terms:
- In TCM terms, help regulate qi and promote blood circulation, with the aim of easing fullness in the chest, flanks, or abdomen, difficulty belching, and dull or distending pain.
- Help promote blood circulation and address blood stasis, with the aim of easing fixed, stabbing pain, bluish-purple discoloration, or menstrual flow difficulties.
- Help soften and disperse masses and restrain their growth, with the aim of easing hardness, pain, or pressure from masses or nodules.
- Help improve local circulation, with the aim of easing swelling, heaviness, or a pulling discomfort.
| Related Products
The products listed below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Technical description:
Yellowing of the body and eyes, dry and bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, a feeling of fullness in the chest and abdomen, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating.
In everyday terms:
- The skin and whites of the eyes may appear yellow.
- The mouth feels dry and has a bitter taste; dryness and bitterness may be noticeable when speaking or swallowing.
- Irritability and mood swings, with a tendency to become angry easily.
- The chest and abdomen feel tight, distended, and uncomfortable, making it hard to relax.
- The tongue may have a yellow, greasy-looking coating.
| Treatment Approach
Technical description:
Clear heat, promote urination to drain dampness, resolve toxins, and relieve focal distension.
In everyday terms:
- In TCM terms, help clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, with the aim of easing discomfort such as feverishness, restlessness, a heavy feeling in the body, or scanty, dark urine.
- Help address what TCM describes as toxins in the body, with the aim of easing symptoms such as a sore, swollen throat, skin redness and swelling, or sores.
- Help relieve focal fullness, with the aim of easing a sensation of blockage or distension in the upper abdomen, discomfort on pressure, or belching and acid reflux.
| Related Products
The products listed below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Technical description:
Heat in the palms, soles, and chest; palpitations and poor sleep; marked abdominal distension; and a red tongue with little coating.
In everyday terms:
- The palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and chest may feel hot, with inner restlessness and a sense of internal heat.
- The heart may pound or feel unsettled. Sleep may be short and restless, with frequent waking.
- The abdomen may become markedly distended, feeling taut and swollen; the sensation of fullness may worsen with movement.
- The tongue appears reddish and has little coating, with little or no obvious thick coating.
| Treatment Approach
Technical description:
Nourish yin, disperse masses, cool the blood, and resolve toxins.
In everyday terms:
- In TCM terms, help nourish yin and loosen masses, with the aim of easing discomfort such as abdominal masses or lumps, throat growths, or localized hard swelling and pressure.
- Help cool the blood and address what TCM describes as toxins, with the aim of easing symptoms such as skin redness, painful sores and swelling, or a red, swollen, painful throat.
| Related Products
The products listed below are for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Wu Wanyin, Liu Weisheng. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors in TCM Specialty Practice [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2013.
- Wei Kuangrong, Peng Xiaobiao, Liang Zhiheng, et al. Global epidemiology of liver cancer [J]. China Cancer, 2015, (8): 621–630.
- Chen Jianguo. Trends in liver cancer incidence and primary prevention in China [J]. Journal of Clinical Hepatology, 2012, (4): 256–260.
- Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer (2011 edition) [J]. Chinese Clinical Oncology, 2011, 10: 929–946.
- Liu Xiaoni, Li Ning. A meta-analysis of TCM medications used clinically for primary liver cancer [J]. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 2012, (9): 1327–1331.
- Fang Zhaoqin, Li Yongjian, Guan Dongyuan, et al. Recommendations for TCM pattern differentiation criteria for primary liver cancer [J]. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003, (5): 11–13.
- Li Xuejiao, Li Huijie, Qi Yuanfu. Research progress in TCM treatment of primary liver cancer [J]. Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014, (9): 783–785.
- Zhao Wensheng, Jin Jun, He Taiqing. Etiology and TCM therapies for primary liver cancer [J]. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine, 2014, (3): 136–138.
- Liu Li. Progress in TCM treatment of primary liver cancer [J]. Practical Clinical Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2013, (2): 93–94.
- Sun Jia, Ye Lihong. Review of studies on the experience of senior TCM practitioners in treating liver cancer [J]. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012, (6): 658–660.