2. Diagnosis and Treatment: Combining Modern Medical Techniques with Traditional Chinese Medicine

2. Diagnosis and Treatment: Combining Modern Medical Techniques with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Professor Pei has unique insights into the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. He believes that when diagnosing patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, it is essential to first utilize advanced modern medical diagnostic tools—such as CT scans, MRI, and pathological biopsies—to confirm the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is clear, a systematic evaluation should be conducted. For patients who are candidates for surgery, timely surgical intervention or chemotherapy should be considered. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, he categorizes the disease into four main types based on the nature of the pathogen:

• Pathogenic Heat in the Lung: Nasal congestion, bloody nasal discharge, dryness in the nasal cavity, hot breath, headache, cough, and swelling in the neck. The tongue is red with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. Treatment focuses on clearing lung heat and resolving phlegm while dispersing blockages.

  • Prescription: Mahuang Gui Zhi Decoction, Yin Qiao San, Anti-Cancer Five-Flavor Disinfection Drink with adjustments. Prescriptions include: Mahuang 10g, Gui Zhi 10g, Xingren 10g, Sheng Shi Gao 30g, Gan Cao 6g, Chuan Xiong 6g, Bai Zhi 6g, Xi Xin 3g, Qiang Huo 10g, Fang Feng 10g, Niu Bang Zi 10g, Jin Hua 15g, Lian Qiao 15g, Jie Geng 20g, Zhong Lou 15g, Bai Hua She Tiao 15g, Ban Zhi Lian 15g, Hu Zhang 15g, and other herbs as needed.
  • Adjustments: Add Jing Jie and Bo He if there is chills and fever; add Guo Lu Pi if there is cough; add Beisha Shen, Yu Zhu, Shihu, Bo He, Yuan Shen, Mu Li, Hai Zao, Kun Bu, San Ling, etc. if there is nosebleed.

• Liver Qi Stagnation and Phlegm Congestion: Visible swelling in the neck, thick, sticky phlegm, headache and tinnitus, nasal congestion and nosebleeds, bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, irritability, constipation, red tongue with a yellowish greasy coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse. Treatment focuses on clearing the liver, resolving phlegm, unblocking the liver qi, and softening and dispersing blockages.

  • Prescription: Si Ni San, Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang, Sheng Jia Zhan with adjustments. Prescriptions include: Chai Hu 10g, Zhi Shi 10g, Bai Shao 10g, Gan Cao 6g, Chuan Xiong 6g, Hai Zao 10g, Kun Bu 10g, Dang Gui 10g, Jiang Huang 10g, Lian Qiao 15g, Zhe Bei Mu 10g, Da Huang 6g, Chan Yi 6g, Jiang Can 6g, and other herbs as needed.
  • Adjustments: If the neck swelling is hard and immobile, add Zicao, Long Dan Cao, Xia Ke Cao, Han San Qi, Xia Ke Cao, Ban Zhi Lian, Zhe Bei Mu, Yuan Shen, Mu Li, Hai Zao, Kun Bu, San Ling, etc.

• Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Nasal congestion, dark-colored nasal discharge, throbbing headaches at night, tinnitus. The tongue is red with bruising along the edges, a thin yellow coating, and a slow, sharp pulse. Treatment focuses on resolving blood stasis, dispersing blockages, and regulating qi to open the orifices.

  • Prescription: Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang, Anti-Cancer Four-Pair Decoction with adjustments. Prescriptions include: Tao Ren 10g, Hong Hua 6g, Dang Gui 10g, Chi Shao 10g, Sheng Di 12g, Chuan Xiong 10g, Yi Mi Ren 30g, Cang Er Zi 10g, Yu Jin 10g, Xing Bai 6g, San Ling 10g, E Jie 10g, Hu Zhang 15g, etc.
  • Adjustments: If the headache persists, add Man Jing Zi, Gao Ben, Huang Qin, Ju Hua, Jiang Can.

• Yin Deficiency and Fire Exuberance: Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss. Bright red nosebleeds, dry throat and increased thirst. Feeling restless and irritable, constipation with little phlegm, fatigue and weakness. The tongue is red with little coating, and the pulse is fine and rapid. Treatment focuses on nourishing yin, clearing heat, and replenishing qi to generate fluids.

  • Prescription: Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang, Qi Ju Di Huang Tang with adjustments. Prescriptions include: Yuan Shen 10g, Sheng Di 12g, Mai Dong 10g, Tian Dong 10g, Yu Zhu 10g, Qigou Zi 10g, Ju Hua 10g, etc.

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