3.1 Records of Liver Cancer in Ancient TCM Literature

3.1 Records of Liver Cancer in Ancient TCM Literature

Although ancient TCM literature does not explicitly name liver cancer, it has long recognized the condition. Many medical texts describe symptoms such as "pi pi," "gan ji," "gan zhu," and "pi ji," which are similar to liver cancer and fall under the category of "zheng jia." The "Spiritual Pivot: Chapter on Pathogenic Factors and Organ Diseases" states: "The liver meridian... when it becomes tense, it manifests as a fat-like mass under the ribs, resembling a cup turned upside down." The "Formulary of Harmonizing Prescriptions" says: "Accumulation in the heart and abdomen... resembles a bowl of water, with intermittent abdominal distension and a hard lump in the lower abdomen." The "Discussions on Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases: Chapters on Accumulation" notes: "Diagnosing liver accumulation... pain in both flanks, with pathogenic factors moving toward the lower abdomen." The "Legal Principles of Medical Practice" states: "Any zheng jia or accumulation... results in a large abdomen like a basket or jar, indicating severe abdominal distension." These descriptions of disease location and symptoms are remarkably similar to the clinical symptoms of modern liver cancer.