Mammary cancer is one of the most commonly-seen malignant tumor in women. Asthenia in origin and sthenia in superficiality coexist after radical operative cure or chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At the late stage, visceral functions decline increasingly and a series of symptoms of healthy qi deficiency may occur such as deficiency of the spleen yang, deficiency of qi and blood, and yin deficiency of the liver and kidney.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Blood and water obstructing collaterals

It manifests swelling and distension of unilateral upper limb as well as certain degree of disturbance in movement after the operative treatment of mammary cancer, deep red tongue, thready and unsmooth pulse. It is advisable to promote blood circulation and promote diuresis. The prescription used is Huoluo Xiaoling Pill (Effective Collateral-Activating Pill) with additional Fuling (Poria), Jianghuang ( Rhizoma Curcumae Longae ), Guizhi ( Ramulus Cinnamomi ), Sangzhi ( Ramulus Mori ), Chishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Rubra ) and Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxing ) .

Qi stagnation and phlegm stasis

It manifests hard swelling lump of breast with normal color, thoracic stuffiness, inclination to sigh, deep red tongue with thin fur, thready and taut or thready and unsmooth pulse. It is advisable to regulate qi, resolve phlegm and dispel stasis. The prescription used is the modified Chaihu Shugan Decoction (Bupleurum Decoction for Relieving the Liver Qi). In the case of severe mammary distending pain, add Chuanshanjia (Squama Manitis ), Wangbuliuxingzi ( Semen Vaccariae ), Gualou ( Fructus Trichosanthis ) and Danshen ( Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) ; in the case of hard lump with gradual enlargement, add Tubeimu ( Rhizoma Bolbostemmatis ), Sbancigu (Rhizoma Pleionis ), Kunbu ( Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae ) and Haizao (Sargassum).

Accumulation of toxic heat

It manifests gradual enlargement of mammary lump with congestion and pain, even severe ulceration, filthy water with foul odor, vexation, dry mouth, constipation, yellowish urine, deep red tongue with yellowish greasy fur, taut and rapid pulse. It is advisable to clear away heat, remove toxic substance and dispel accumulation. The prescription used is the modified Lianqiao Jinbei Decoction with additional ingredients. In the case of diabrotic lump with flowing blood and fluid, it is advisable to add Shenghuangqi (unprepared Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), Bailian ( Radix Ampelopsis ), Pugongying ( Herba Taraxaci ) and Lianqiao ( Fructus Forsythiae ) .

Adverse qi flow due to qi deficiency of the middle energizer

It manifests anorexia after the radiotherapy and chemotherapy, nausea, vomiting, abdominalgia, reddish tongue or with dental marks, thready and taut pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi and lower the adversely rising qi. The prescription used is the modified Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction (Decoction of Cyperus and Amomum with Six Noble Ingredients). In the case of severe vomiting, it is advisable to use the modified Xuanfu Daizhu Decoction (Decoction of Inula and Hematitum), or add Jiangbanxia (prepared Rhizoma Pinelliae ), Zisuye (Folium Perillae) and Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis).

Obstruction of dampness due to asthenia of the spleen

It manifests general tiredness with heavy sensation, thoracic and epigastric mass, anorexia, edema of the face or lower limbs, tender and enlarged tongue, white, thick and greasy or white and slippery fur, thready and slippery pulse. It is advisable to warm the spleen and promote diuresis. The prescription used is the modified Shiwei Liuqi Decoction.

Deficiency of both qi and blood

It manifests lustreless complexion, lassitude, hypodynamia, spontaneous sweating, palpitation, short breath, or prolonged healing of wound after the operation, pale tongue, thready and weak pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi and tonify blood. The prescription used is the modified Shiquan Dabu Decoction (Decoction of Ten Powerful Tonics). In the case of prolonged healing of wound due to deficiency of qi and blood, add Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ) , Xueyutan ( Crinis Carbonisatus) and Ercha (Catechu).

Asthenia of the liver and kidney

It manifests grey complexion, soreness and flaccidity of the waist and knees or pain of the waist and limbs, dizziness, tinnitus, dysphoria with feverish chest, palms and soles, dry and deep red or flaccid tongue, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to nourish the liver and kidney. The prescription used is the modified Yiguan Decoction (An Ever Effective Decoction for Nourishing the Liver and Kidney).

The oral administration of Xihuang Pill (Pill of Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia) can be coordinatively used in all the above syndromes.