Overview of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

One, Concept of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment: Integrated TCM treatment is an essential component of comprehensive cancer therapy. TCM and integrative TCM treatments are distinctive features of China’s medical system, playing a unique role in anti-tumor therapy. However, the precise role and status of TCM in treating tumors have not been widely accepted by Western medicine practitioners in China. With the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, TCM therapeutic methods have become increasingly diverse. To correctly apply various TCM therapies and integrate them with modern medicine, experts have recently emphasized that integrated TCM treatment for tumors should not only be an important part of comprehensive cancer treatment but also emphasize the rational combination of multiple TCM approaches. The essence lies in guiding treatment throughout the entire process with TCM theory, individualized diagnosis and treatment, integrating with modern medical techniques, planning and rationally applying available treatment modalities to maximize the holistic advantages of TCM, aiming for full TCM involvement in tumor treatment, restoring dynamic balance in the body, enhancing sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, minimizing toxic side effects, reducing tumor metastasis and recurrence, achieving complete cure for patients who can be cured, and improving quality of life and prolonging survival for late-stage cancer patients.
Two, Clinical Practice Principles: Fully assess the balance between pathogenic factors and healthy qi, local vs. disseminated disease, and determine appropriate indications for various treatments, seizing optimal timing for each intervention to formulate a comprehensive integrative TCM and Western medicine treatment plan.
Three, Integrated TCM Therapeutic Methods: 1. Oral herbal preparations—suitable for most patients at all stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (not applicable if there is complete gastrointestinal obstruction or bulbar paralysis; rectal administration may be used instead). 2. Topical herbal preparations—used for treating pleural and ascitic fluid in hepatocellular carcinoma and pain relief. 3. Rectal suppositories—used for pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and local tumor treatment. 4. Intravenous herbal preparations—suitable for patients at all stages of hepatocellular carcinoma, categorized into tonifying (supportive) and eliminating (anti-pathogenic) types. 5. Interventional TCM therapy—intravenous infusion formulations suitable for localized interventional treatment in intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. 6. Other auxiliary TCM therapies (acupuncture, dietary therapy, music therapy, medicinal baths, psychological support)—suitable for patients at all stages of hepatocellular carcinoma.