Lung Cancer

Primary bronchogenic carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the respiratory system. Historically, lung cancer was vividly compared to the plague of the 10th century and the disease of the 19th century. In 1997, lung cancer mortality rates among men and women in Shanghai ranked first among all tumors. [Etiology]: The causes of lung cancer are complex. Mainly two factors: one, environmental carcinogens. With industrial development, air pollution has become a major issue; substances such as nitrosamines, asbestos, chromium, nickel, mustard gas, arsenic, asphalt, and petroleum fumes spread in air and water, entering the body and becoming significant carcinogens; second, personal factors—smoking is the most important factor. Smoking index greater than 400 is clearly associated with lung cancer incidence. Smoking index = number of cigarettes smoked per day × years of smoking. Studies show smokers have 8.8 times higher risk of lung cancer than non-smokers. Tobacco contains specific carcinogen N-nitroso-4-aminobutyric acid, a cyclic nitrosamine, which becomes activated into carcinogenic substance capable of inducing mutations. [Diagnosis]: With advances in medical technology and improved detection capabilities, most lung cancer patients can be diagnosed via X-ray chest films, CT scans, SPECT 3D imaging, detecting small lung cancers hidden in lung, behind diaphragm, behind heart, or beside spine. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsy achieves up to 90% diagnostic accuracy for peripheral lung cancers, and percutaneous lung biopsy also shows high diagnostic rate. [Treatment Method]: Activate blood circulation to resolve stasis, transform phlegm and disperse nodules. Platycodon 12, loquat leaf 15, lily 12, root bark of wolfberry 12, ophiopogon 12, astragalus 24, fish mint 20, white atractylodes 18, northern sand参 18, winterflower 12, Heterophylla Fritillaria 15, cat’s claw 18, badan 12, tangerine peel 6, wild buckwheat 12.[Additions/Modifications]: (1) For cough and shortness of breath, add ephedra 9, inula 15, and sterculia 10; (2) For hemoptysis, add herba hirsuta 18, salvia 10, and bletilla 15; (3) For pleural effusion, add poria 15, plantago 18, and atractylodes 20; (4) For high fever, add scutellaria 9, and buffalo horn 30; (5) For chest pain, add notoginseng powder 5, curcuma 9, and Corydalis 10; (6) For qi and yin deficiency, add pseudostellaria 15, and gecko 1 pair (boiled separately).