Colorectal Cancer
Colon cancer (carcinoma of colon) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. The most frequent sites, in order, are the sigmoid colon, cecum, ascending colon, descending colon, and transverse colon. Most are adenocarcinomas, and they are more common in men. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls within the categories of “intestinal tumor” and “intestinal mass” (changliu, changtan).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Intermittent abdominal pain; diarrhea with red and white discharge; tenesmus; burning, dragging pain at the anus; chest oppression, irritability, and thirst; and a feeling of distension and heaviness in the lower abdomen. The tongue is red or deep red, with a yellow or greasy coating; the pulse is slippery and rapid.
In plain language:
- Intermittent abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea with stool that may contain red and white material, resembling blood and mucus.
- A frequent urge to pass stool with a feeling of incomplete evacuation and marked downward pressure.
- A burning sensation at the anus, accompanied by a dragging, downward pain.
- Chest tightness, irritability, and thirst.
- A feeling of heaviness and distension in the lower abdomen.
- The tongue appears red or dark red.
- The tongue coating appears yellow or greasy.
- The pulse feels slippery and relatively rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat, promote the elimination of dampness, and detoxify.
In plain language:
- Reduce excessive internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, with the aim of easing discomfort such as feverishness, dry mouth, and a heavy, sticky sensation.
- Clear what TCM describes as turbid toxins, with the aim of easing redness, swelling, suppuration, and foul-smelling discharge, as well as pain and inflammation.
| Related Products
The products below are provided 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
Clinical description:
Intermittent, stabbing abdominal pain that is aggravated by pressure; diarrhea with pus and blood; tenesmus; irritability, a sensation of heat, and thirst. The tongue is purplish-dark or has ecchymotic spots, with a yellow or dry coating and little moisture; the pulse is wiry and rapid or rough.
In plain language:
- Intermittent, stabbing abdominal pain that worsens when pressed; the person does not want the area touched.
- Diarrhea containing pus and blood, with a lingering urge to pass stool and a feeling of incomplete evacuation and heaviness.
- A feeling of heat and restlessness, along with thirst and a desire to drink water.
- The tongue appears dark purple or may have purple spots.
- The tongue coating is yellow or dry and appears to have little moisture.
- The pulse feels taut and relatively rapid, or rough and uneven.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis; move qi and relieve pain.
In plain language:
- Promote the smooth flow of blood and disperse blood stasis and obstruction, with the aim of easing purplish discoloration, swelling, and lumps.
- Promote the smooth flow of qi and relieve obstruction, with the aim of easing distending, stabbing, and pulling pain.
| Related Products
The products below are provided 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
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath; abdominal distension and poor appetite; loose stools; swelling of the limbs; weight loss; and a feeling of downward pressure at the anus. The tongue is thin and small or fissured, with a scant coating or a smooth, mirror-like surface; the pulse is thin and weak.
In plain language:
- A fluttering or uneasy heartbeat, with shortness of breath after even light activity.
- Abdominal fullness and discomfort, with poor appetite or little desire to eat.
- Loose, unformed stools that are relatively easy to pass but may occur more often.
- Swelling of the limbs, with the hands and feet looking puffy and feeling heavy.
- Noticeable weight loss and a markedly thin appearance.
- A heavy, downward-dragging sensation at the anus.
- The tongue appears thin and small, or has visible cracks on its surface.
- The tongue coating is scant, or the tongue surface is shiny and smooth like a mirror.
- The pulse feels thin and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi and nourish blood.
In plain language:
- Replenish qi, with the aim of easing shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and reluctance to speak, and supporting stamina and endurance.
- Nourish the blood, with the aim of improving pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations, and supporting a healthier complexion and steadier energy.
| Related Products
The products below are provided 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
Clinical description:
Flushed complexion; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; heat in the palms, soles, and chest; or tidal fever and night sweats; erectile dysfunction and seminal emission; constipation and abdominal distension. The tongue is red or glossy red, with a peeled or absent coating; the pulse is thin and wiry or rapid.
In plain language:
- The face is often flushed, with episodes of redness that feel like heat.
- The lower back and knees feel sore, weak, and lacking in strength.
- The palms, soles, and chest feel hot at times, with restlessness.
- There may be episodes of feeling hot and sweating at night, with sweating during sleep that may cause waking.
- Erections may be weak or difficult to maintain, and involuntary seminal emission may occur.
- Stools are hard and dry, making them difficult and effortful to pass.
- The abdomen feels full and uncomfortable, often with a sense of pressure and tightness.
- The tongue appears red or glossy red overall.
- The tongue coating is reduced or peeled, and may be almost absent.
- The pulse feels thin and taut, or relatively rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the liver and kidneys.
In plain language:
- Nourish body fluids and provide nourishment, supporting the body’s foundation and capacity for recovery.
- Support liver and kidney function, with the aim of easing lower-back and knee weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, and disturbed sleep.
| Related Products
The products below are provided 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
Clinical description:
Thin body habitus; pale complexion; aversion to cold and cold limbs; weakness in the lower back and knees; abdominal distension and pain that is relieved by warmth and pressure; occasional loose stools. The tongue is pale and dull, with teeth marks; the coating is thin and white; the pulse is deep, thin, and weak.
In plain language:
- The body appears thin, and the face looks pale.
- Feeling cold easily, with cold hands and feet that are slow to warm up.
- The lower back and knees feel weak and lacking in strength.
- The abdomen feels distended with dull pain; warmth and pressure may feel soothing.
- Stools are occasionally loose or watery.
- The tongue appears pale and dull, with tooth marks along its edges.
- The tongue coating is thin and white.
- The pulse is easier to feel with deeper pressure and feels thin and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys.
In plain language:
- Warm and support the spleen’s TCM functions of transformation, transportation, and absorption, with the aim of easing poor appetite, abdominal distension, loose stools, and fatigue.
- Warm and nourish kidney yang and essence, with the aim of easing aversion to cold, cold limbs, lower-back and knee weakness, and frequent urination or nighttime urination, and supporting stamina and endurance.
| Related Products
The products below are provided 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
- Xiao Yi, Cai Baiqiang. Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment in Respiratory Medicine [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2012.
- Ge Junbo, Xu Yongjian. Internal Medicine [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2014.
- Zhang Boli. A Guide to the Rational Clinical Use of Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Classics Publishing House, 2011.