2.2 Discussion on Etiology and Pathogenesis

2.2 Discussion on Etiology and Pathogenesis

The occurrence of liver cancer is not caused by a single factor. Throughout history, TCM classics have attributed its causes to both external and internal factors: dietary indiscretion, emotional imbalance, overwork and internal injury, invasion by external pathogens, prolonged untreated liver disease, congenital deficiency, and weakness of the zang-fu organs. These various internal and external factors interact, leading to the accumulation of pathogenic factors, disruption of the zang-fu meridians, and ultimately the formation of cancerous masses. For example, the "Continued Collection of Prescriptions for Saving Lives" states: "When a person's spleen and stomach are weak, or when they overeat..."

Research on Pei Zhengxue's Series of Formulas and Medications

Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods cannot be properly digested, leading to accumulation and mass formation." The "Plain Questions: Great Treatise on Yin-Yang Correspondence" says: "Anger harms the liver..." The "Spiritual Pivot: Chapter on the Origin of All Diseases" states: "When evil qi invades the body, it begins at the skin... penetrates deeper... lingers without leaving, spreads to the intestines and stomach, resides between the fu and the yin, stays in the vessels, stagnates without going away, and eventually forms accumulation." The "Various Causes and Symptoms of Accumulation Diseases" records: "Accumulation arises from disharmony between yin and yang, weakness of the zang-fu organs, exposure to wind-pathogens, and interaction with the qi of the zang-fu organs." The "Golden Chamber: On Accumulation" says: "Accumulation is not only caused by phlegm, food, blood, and qi, but also by external wind-cold invasion." The "Complete Works of Jingyue" states: "People with spleen-kidney deficiency and general weakness often suffer from accumulation diseases, because when the spleen is weak, the middle jiao cannot function properly; when the kidney is weak, the lower jiao cannot transform; when righteous qi does not circulate, pathogenic qi can take hold." The "Essential Readings on Accumulation" says: "Accumulation forms when righteous qi is insufficient and pathogenic qi takes hold."

In summary, liver cancer is a syndrome of underlying deficiency and superficial excess. It occurs when the body's righteous qi is insufficient, allowing stasis, phlegm, and toxins to accumulate and interact, resulting in conflict between righteous and pathogenic qi. This leads to liver depression and spleen deficiency, stagnation of qi and blood, and over time, qi stagnation turning into fire and damp-heat developing internally. Due to blood stasis and qi obstruction, circulation becomes blocked, ultimately causing the onset and progression of liver cancer.

2.3 Treatment Principles and Methods in TCM

Ancient physicians had a profound understanding of the causes and mechanisms of liver cancer, laying a solid theoretical and clinical foundation for its treatment. Over time, treatment methods have continuously evolved as understanding deepened. In modern times, common approaches to treating liver cancer include strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, clearing heat and detoxifying, activating blood circulation and removing stasis, tonifying the liver and kidneys, promoting diuresis, and resolving phlegm. Below are some of the most commonly used methods: