2 Pulmonary carcinoma

Pulmonary carcinoma is also called "primary bronchial cancer". The location of the disease lies in the lung. But it is closely related to the spleen, stomach, kidney, etc. The operative treatment may cause the decline of pulmonary function and serious deficiency of qi and yin. The chemotherapy or radiotherapy may give rise to local stimulation, pain, swelling and necrosis, consequently impairing the healthy qi of the human body.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Deficiency of both qi and yin

It manifests lassitude, hypodynamia, short breath, chest tight-hess, dry cough with scanty sputum, dry mouth and tongue, thin and small tongue with little fur, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi and nourish yin. The prescription used is the modified integration of Baihe Gujin Decoction (Lily Decoction for Strengthening the Lung) with Pulsation-Promoting Powder. In the case of severe pulmonary yin deficiency, add Yuzhu (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati ) and Beishashen (Radix Glehniae); in the case of severe pulmonary qi deficiency, add Huaishanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) and Fuling (Poria).

Qi deficiency of the lung and spleen

It manifests lassitude, hypodynamia, lustreless complexion, short breath, disinclination to speak, cough with low voice, clear and thin sputum, anorexia, or nausea and vomiting, pale tongue with white fur or with marginal dental marks, thready and weak pulse. It is advisable to supplement qi of the lung and spleen. The prescription used is the modified Sijunzi Decoction (Decoction of Four Noble Drugs). In the case of severe nausea and vomiting, add Jiangbanxia (prepared Rhizoma Pinelliae), Chuanhuanglian (Rhizoma Polyonati) and Wuzhuyu (Fructus Euodiae) .

Qi deficiency of the lung and kidney

It manifests chest tightness, occasional cough, short breath, even asthma on exertion, deep and thready pulse. It is advisable to strengthen the lung and kidney. The prescription used is the modified combination of Liuwei Dihuang Bolus (Bolus of Six Drugs Including Rehmannia) with Sijunzi Decoction (Decoction of Four Noble Drugs). In the case of profuse sweat, it is advisable to add Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari ) , Wuweizi ( Fructus Schisandrae ), Muli (Concha Ostreae) and Dongchongxiacao (Cordyceps).

Yin impairment of the lung and stomach

It manifests dry cough, scanty sputum with difficult expectoration, hectic fever, night sweat, dry mouth and throat, hoarse voice, scanty urine, dry stool, red tongue with scanty body fluid, a little fur, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to nourish the lung and stomach. The prescription used is the modified Shashen Maidong Decoction (Decoction of Glehnia and Ophiopogon). In the case of yin impairment of the lung and kidney, the prescription is used in combination with the modified Baihe Gujin Decoction (Lily Decoction for Strengthening the Lung).

Dryness and heat scorching the lung

It manifests dry cough with paroxysmal onset, scanty sputum or bloody sputum, thoracic pain, short breath, or fever, dry mouth and tongue, red tongue, thready and rapid pulse. It is advisable to clear away heat and moisten the lung. The prescription used is the modified Qingzao Jiufei Decoction (Decoction for Relieving Dryness of the Lung). In the case of constipation, it is advisable to add Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae) and Xuanshen ( Radix Scrophulariae ) .

Internal stagnation of phlegm and heat

It manifests cough with forceful voice, short breath, yellowish, thick and sticky sputum, thoracic pain and tightness, or fever, dry mouth, red tongue with yellowish and greasy fur, slippery and rapid pulse. It is advisable to clear away heat and resolve phlegm. The prescription used is the modified Qingqi Huatan Bolus (Bolus for Clearing away Heat and Resolving Phlegm). In the case of thoracic tightness and pain and expectoration, it is advisable to add Quangualou ( Fructus Trichosanthis ), Baihuasheshecao ( Herba Hedyotis Diffusae ) , Banzhilian ( Herba ScuteUariae Barbatae) and Shengnanxing (unprepared Rhizoma Arisaematis ).

Internal accumulation of blood stasis and heat

It manifests cough, chest tightness, expectoration of yellowish sputum, or bloody sputum with deep red colour, thoracic stabbing pain, dry mouth without inclination to drink, deep purple tongue or with ecchymoses,

thready and unsmooth pulse. It is advisable to remove blood stasis and clear away heat. The prescription used is Taohong Siwu Decoction in combination with Yuxingcao (Herba Houttuyniae ), Baihuasheshecao (Herba Hedyotis Diffusae ) , Baijiangcao ( Herba Patriniae ) , etc.

Rehabilitation methods

Regulating emotions and recreation therapy

Please refer to the relevant part in the section of "Carcinoma of digestive

tract".