1. Integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Lung Cancer

1. Integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Lung Cancer

Although surgery is widely recognized as the first-line treatment for lung cancer in Western medicine, early diagnosis is often difficult, so most patients lose the opportunity for surgery by the time they are diagnosed. This is especially true for small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, where surgical options are even more limited. Squamous cell carcinoma, on the other hand, offers relatively more opportunities for surgery; with timely postoperative chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate can reach 50%. Adenocarcinoma, however, has a slightly lower 5-year survival rate than squamous cell carcinoma when treated with surgery plus chemotherapy. For small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, the preferred chemotherapy regimen is COAP, while for non-small cell lung cancer, BCA is the first choice. When using the above combined chemotherapy regimens, taking the previously mentioned Lanzhou formula (Rehmannia, Cornus officinalis, Cortex Moutan, Poria, Alisma, Ginseng roots, Prince Ginseng, Codonopsis, Chinese Yam, Northern Sand Ginseng, Ophiopogon, Schisandra) daily at one dose can significantly reduce chemotherapy side effects while enhancing the efficacy of the chemotherapy drugs.

Over the years, Dr. Pei has promoted this integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment approach through academic presentations in several regions (Dalian, Guiyang, Xi’an, Beijing), attracting great attention from many provinces and cities. Our department has adopted this approach to treat lung cancer and achieved excellent therapeutic results. Recently, we have discovered a highly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma whose clinical features are very similar to inflammatory pseudotumor, with normal isotope tumor markers, often mistakenly diagnosed as a pseudotumor. This type of tumor tends to metastasize easily to the bones, causing persistent pain, and strontium-89 isotope therapy is particularly effective. From a TCM perspective, lung cancer, in terms of the lungs themselves, does not involve deficiency syndromes; rather, excess syndromes are the main issue, while kidney deficiency is the root cause. If kidney yin is insufficient, water fails to control fire, and fire overcomes metal, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, chest tightness, hemoptysis, red tongue, and floating, rapid pulse may occur. Clinically, signs of pulmonary infection are also observed. The preferred prescription for treatment is Su Xing San combined with Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang; using these two formulas together has a clear therapeutic effect on lung real syndrome after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Once inflammation subsides and clinical signs become less obvious, Da Wei He Ji (Greater Burdock Peel, Schisandra, Polygala, Pinellia, Citrus Peel, Poria, Licorice, Fritillaria) can be used, one dose per day, decocted in water. This formula regulates qi and transforms phlegm, moistens the lungs and stops cough, treating both the root and the branch—making it an effective long-term prescription for lung cancer treatment. If there is hemoptysis due to lung cancer, add cuttlefish bone, Panax notoginseng, hematite, and Fritillaria to the above formula. If kidney yang is insufficient, water vapor rises upward, forming phlegm-dampness, leading to excessive coughing, shortness of breath, labored breathing, shoulder shrugging, purple tongue, and weak pulse; clinically, emphysema and cor pulmonale may be observed. The preferred prescription for treatment is Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Su Zi, Greater Burdock Peel, Platycodon, Citrus Peel, Poria, Bamboo Leaves, Apricot Kernel, Cinnamon), with added cinnamon to warm kidney yang and replenish life fire, which has a strong effect on strengthening the heart and relieving asthma.