3.2 Traditional Chinese Medicine's Understanding of the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Liver Cancer

3.2 Traditional Chinese Medicine's Understanding of the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Liver Cancer

Ancient physicians extensively discussed the etiology and pathogenesis of liver cancer. For example, Hua Tuo's "Central Treasury: Chapter Ten on Accumulation, Zheng Jia, and Miscellaneous Parasites" states: "All cases of accumulation, zheng jia, and miscellaneous parasites arise from a loss of true qi in the five zang and six fu organs, allowing pathogenic qi to invade... This is due to the interaction between internal and external factors, where true qi and pathogenic qi clash... Accumulation originates in the organs." Li Zhongzi's "Essential Readings on Medical Classics: Chapter on Accumulation" says: "Accumulation forms when true qi is insufficient, allowing pathogenic qi to take hold." Chao Yuanfang's "Discussions on Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases" notes: "Diagnosing liver accumulation... pain in both flanks; accumulation is associated with yin qi... therefore, the upper and lower parts of the body are affected, and all organs are invaded by pathogenic qi. Initially, there is no accumulation, but if it lingers and does not go away, it eventually turns into accumulation." Zhang Yuanli's proposition that "nourishing the righteous qi naturally eliminates accumulation" has been widely cited by later generations of physicians. It is evident that ancient physicians generally believed that deficiency of true qi is the intrinsic cause of liver cancer. Such deficiency may result from congenital insufficiency or acquired malnutrition, leading to imbalance of yin and yang, insufficient qi and blood, dysfunction of the zang-fu organs, inability to perform normal physiological functions, and subsequent accumulation of pathological products such as qi stagnation, phlegm-dampness, blood stasis, and cancer toxins. Zhu Zhenheng's "Danxi Heart Method: Accumulation, Pi, and Lump" once said: "Lumps are formed by the combination of phlegm, food accumulation, and dead blood." He pointed out that accumulation arises from the confluence of food residue, phlegm, and blood stasis. The "Discussions on Causes and Symptoms of Various Diseases: Chapters on Accumulation" states: "Human accumulation of zheng jia and lump is caused by irregular diet... and takes shape." This ultimately leads to the development of liver cancer; over time, qi stagnation transforms into fire, and damp-heat further promotes the progression of liver cancer. Thus, liver cancer is a condition characterized by deficiency at the root and excess at the surface.