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.
