TiejunTang
In recent years, we have often heard bad news about someone who suffers from any type of cancer. According to the statistics of the Cancer Research UK, there are around 375,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year (2016-2018), and around 167,000 cancer deaths in the UK every year (2017-2019). World Cancer Research Fund reported there were 18.1 million cases of cancer diagnosed in 2020 globally.
The prognosis of different cancers are various. Some are completely curable due to the development of medical science; unfortunately some are not. Although they are incurable, we can prevent it. Cancers take time to develop; they often develop from some chronic diseases. These diseases are often called precancerous lesions. If you are being treated appropriately, the condition could be under control.
Below are some examples of common precancerous lesions and the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in these conditions.
1. Atypical Breast Hyperplasia → Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, and it often develops from inconspicuous precancerous lesions, such as breast atypical hyperplasia, intraductal papilloma and cystic breast hyperplasia, which are all considered to be precancerous lesions.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) , breast hyperplasia is a condition that causes by stagnation of liver qi, which leads to the blockage of qi in the body, resulting in breast pain. TCM herbs that soothe the liver and relieve stagnation can be given to intervene. Commonly used herbs are Xiangfu, Qingpi and Chenpi for soothing the liver and regulating qi. Chishaoyao can be added to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, Gualou can be added to resolve phlegm and dissipate stagnation, and Banzhilian & Baihuasheshecao can be added for anti-cancer, as well as reducing the risks of getting breast cancer.
A molecular level experimental study showed: The Chinese herbs Huangqi, Renshen, Fuling and Chaihu, as well as some other herbal formulas can regulate the genetic related and protein expression via pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin, which inhibits the growth, proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cell.[1]
2. HPV Infection → Cervical Cancer
HPV (human papillomavirus), is divided into high-risk, intermediate-risk and low-risk types according to the risk of causing cervical cancer. Among them, 13 types of viruses are considered in the high-risk category. In the worldwide, there are 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. In the Western medicine, there isn’t any specific medication for treating HPV, however, It can only be relied on our immunity to cure the disease. In some cases, most of the infections can be healed by themselves within 2 years, however, some patients are potentially suffering from the cervical cancer in the end.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that this disease is mostly caused by damp-heat, spleen-deficiency, endogenous dampness, as well as toxins which are one of the primary pathologies. Treatment is usually based on strengthening the spleen and removing dampness, clearing away the heat and detoxifying. The modified formula of the Traditional Chinese medicine, the Simiao Decoction is used in the treatment of HPV, showing the satisfactory efficacy.
The Research shows that the mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine may perform on the regulation of cell apoptosis, viral gene transcription and translation, cell signal transduction pathways and the immune function.[2]
3. Colon Polyps → Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is relatively one of the common cancers in the UK, and a large proportion of colon cancers develop from the polyps. Adenomatous polyps have a higher probability of becoming cancerous. As the size of adenomatous polyps grows, their growth rate is also increased with the total canceration rate ranging from 10% to 20%, therefore, the Western medicine uses endoscopic electrocoagulation resection for the treatment of intestinal polyps, and the recurrence rate is very high.
TCM believes that the causes of colon polyps is due to damp heat, phlegm, and blood stasis that accumulate in the large intestine. The principles of treating this disease are to strengthening the spleen and replenishing the qi, clear away damp heat, and resolve phlegm and blood stasis. In my master degree research in the early 1990s, I applied Jianpi Yikan Pills to treat the intestinal polyps and a satisfactory result was achieved. This patent remedy can be significantly reduced the postoperative recurrence of intestinal polyps.[3]
4. Chronic Atrophic Gastritis → Stomach Cancer
For chronic stomachache patient, a gastroscopy is necessary. If the biopsy result of the gastroscopy is chronic atrophic gastritis, We must pay more attention to it, especially if it is accompanied by atypical hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia, a high risk of stomach cancer is associated. It is generally believed that the canceration rate is: 3% to 5% in 5 to 10 years, and 10% in more than 10 years.
TCM believes that the etiology and pathology of atrophic gastritis may include liver and stomach qi stagnation, spleen and stomach deficiency, stomach-yin deficiency or stomach blood stasis. The herb selection should depend on the symptoms of individual cases: Chaihu, Foshou to soothe the liver and relieve the liver qi stagnation ; Dangshen and Baizhu to strengthen the spleen and stomach Qi; Maimendong, Shashen and Shihu to nourish stomach yin; Chishaoyao and Danshen to remove blood stasis.
Research shows that the mechanism of TCM in treating chronic gastritis include the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, the anti-inflammatory effects, the immune regulation, and the regulation of gastric mucosal cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy levels[4].
5. Pulmonary Nodules → Lung Cancer
Chronic cough has increased since the pandemic of COVID-19. Many people were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules after Covid. This disease may lead to lung cancer, among which atypical adenomatous hyperplasia which is a type of precancerous lesion. The bigger the nodule, the higher risk of malignant transformation. People with lung cancer family history are more likely to develop cancer in their lung nodules.
Nevertheless, there is no evidence that pulmonary nodules can be treated by any western medicines, and the surgical operation is necessary for the larger nodules, although the new nodules may reoccur after the surgery.
TCM believes that the main pathogenesis of pulmonary nodules is: deficiency, phlegm, blood stasis, and poison. The treatment principles are to nourish the spleen and lungs, resolve phlegm and detoxify, and dissipate blood stasis and dredge the collaterals.
Usually, Huangqi and Dangshen are used to replenish the qi of the spleen and lungs; Banxia, Qianhu, Zhebeimu and Gualou are used to resolve phlegm and relieve cough, Banzhilian and Yuxingcao are used to clear away heat and detoxify; Sanqi and Danshen are used to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
The Molecular biology and pharmacology research shows that the traditional formula, QianJin WeiJing decoction (QJWJ) can inhibit the growth of lung cancer A549 cell line in a time-dependent manner, which may inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells by inhibiting EGFR and STAT3 signaling pathways, and arresting the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. The other research showed QJWJ can induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells and enhancing immunity in lung cancer patients. [5]
6. Cirrhosis → Liver Cancer
Viral hepatitis is a very common disease in China. In about 10-30% of chronic hepatitis B patients develop cirrhosis within 5-10 years, besides, 5-10% of cirrhosis patients develop liver cancer within 5-10 years as well. Cirrhosis is considered as a precursor to liver cancer. Although viral hepatitis is relatively rare in the UK, alcoholic cirrhosis becomes the risk factor of liver cancer.
TCM has accumulated immeasurable clinical experiences in treating chronic liver diseases over thousands of years. For those with hypochondriac pain and swelling pain, Chaihu, Qingpi, and Chunlianzi can be used to promote qi and relieve pain; for jaundice conditions, Yinchen, Dahuang and Zhizi can be selected to clear away damp heat and relieve jaundice; for ascites conditions, Fuling, Zexie, Dafupi can be added to diuretic and expel dampness; for patients with hepatosplenomegaly, Danshen, Sanleng, Ezhu can be given to promote the blood circulation and remove blood stasis, or Guiban and Biejia can be used to soften the hardness; for those with cancer tendencies, Banzhilian and Baihuasheshecao can be added to prevent the occurrence of tumors.
There was a cohort study that counted 127,237 liver cancer patients, of which 30,992 (24.36%) were treated with Chinese herbal medicine. Compared with patients who did not use Chinese herbal medicine, The TCM group showed a significantly lower risk of death. Modified Xiaoyao San and Chaihu Shugan San were the most effective formulas for improving survival. [6]
Most importantly, getting early diagnosis and treatment are the most crucial part, as it has a great impact on the patient’s prognosis.
Paying enough attention to the treatment of precancerous lesions can slow down or stop the canceration of cells and avoid the occurrence of cancer. Clinical practice has proven that traditional Chinese medicine can have advantages to the treatments listed above dedicated to precancerous lesions, and its mechanism of action has been confirmed by a variety of scientific studies.
Be aware of the precancerous lesions and eliminate potential risks of cancer is the right choice of your health.
Reference:
1. Zimei Yang. The
signaling pathways and targets of traditional Chinese medicine and natural
medicine in triple-negative breast cancer. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jan
10:264:113249.
2. Jing Lin.
Traditional Chinese medicine for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections: A
systematic reviewBiosci Trends. 2017 Jul 24;11(3):267-273.
3. Tiejun Tang.
The effect of JPYK pill on T cell subpopulation and immunological function of
spleen asthenia mice. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica. 1992;
8 (Sep.): 181.
4. Liangjun Yang.
Progress in traditional Chinese medicine against chronic gastritis: From
chronic non-atrophic gastritis to gastric precancerous lesions Heliyon.2023 May
27;9(6):e16764
5. Peiyu Liu. A
Chinese classical prescription QianjinweijingDecoction in treatment of lung
cancer: An overview. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022 Dec:156:113913
6. Yueh-Hsiang Liao. Adjunctive traditional Chinese medicine therapy improves survival of liver cancer patients. Liver Int. 2015 Dec;35(12):2595-602.
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