Lymphoma - Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Information provided/updated by:
Professor Chan Wai,
Clinical Professor of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University

Introduction:

In this article, Professor Chan Wai introduces us to how traditional Chinese medicine treats lymphoma.

A. Overview (including organs, systems, and the use and differences of terms in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine)
B. Etiology/Symptoms/Diagnosis
C. Treatment

A. Overview (including organs, systems, and the use and differences of terms in traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine)

Lymphoma refers to a malignant tumor that originates in the human lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is spread throughout the body, and its cells have different sources, characteristics, and functions. Therefore, the malignancy of lymphoma varies, the classification is quite complex, and the clinical manifestations and prognosis also vary greatly.

B. Etiology/Symptoms/Diagnosis

Due to the proliferation of lymphocytes and their tissues, it is mainly characterized by painless, progressive lymphadenopathy, often accompanied by fever, weight loss and fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats and other symptoms. In the late stage, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, and cachexia may occur.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lymphoma is mostly due to the deficiency of the body's healthy qi, coupled with the external contraction of the six excesses, or the internal damage of the seven emotions, overeating and fatigue, etc., leading to the dysfunction of the viscera and bowels, stagnation of qi, internal generation of phlegm-dampness, and long-term coagulation and non-transformation. Phlegm-dampness, static blood and other mutual adhesion, eventually damage qi and blood, become a malignant tumor, appear local or multiple lymphadenopathy, skin color unchanged, painless and non-itchy symptoms. The main pathogenesis is deficiency of the righteous and excess of the evil, stagnation of qi and condensation of phlegm, and aggregation of evil toxins.

The cause of lymphoma is still unclear. Modern research has found that it may be related to genetics, viral and bacterial infections, chemicals, radiation, environmental pollution, and a decrease in the body's immune function. Chemotherapy which kills tumor cells by administering anticancer drugs through different routes ;and radiotherapy which irradiates the tumor site with high-energy radiation generated by a special treatment instrument are common methods for treating lymphoma. In recent years, the use of immunotherapy, immunotherapy, and bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has significantly relieved the condition of most patients, and even cured.

C. Treatment

The treatment of lymphoma in traditional Chinese medicine mainly follows the principle of pattern identification/syndrome differentiation and treatment. The first step is to distinguish between deficiency and excess, cold and heat, and the location of the disease, and adopt comprehensive treatment methods including oral decoction, acupuncture, external application of drugs, and lifestyle, diet, and mental adjustment.

The specific method varies according to the actual situation of the patient. In the early stage, those with phlegm excess need to distinguish between cold phlegm or heat phlegm, mainly to resolve phlegm and disperse masses, and eliminate the pathogenic factors to fight cancer.

In the middle stage, reinforce the healthy qi and consolidate the foundation and eliminate the pathogenic factors to fight cancer are combined, both attacking and tonifying. In the late stage, the pathogenic factors are often strong and the healthy qi is weak, mainly to reinforce the healthy qi.

According to the location of lymph node enlargement, those occurring in the neck, armpit, groin, and other superficial parts are mostly excess patterns; those occurring in the abdominal cavity, mediastinum, and other visceral parts are mostly deficiency patterns. As for those invading the bone marrow and other places, they are deficiency pattern in the root and excess pattern in the branch, so the treatment is also different. The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can not only improve the efficacy, but also reduce the adverse reactions and complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, prevent recurrence, especially for late-stage patients can improve the quality of life, prolong survival.

Compared with other cancers, the prognosis of lymphoma is relatively good. The key is early detection and treatment, if lymph node enlargement is found, a specialist doctor should be sought for detailed examination immediately.

During the treatment, the patient should maintain a good mood, face bravely, actively cooperate with the treatment, try to achieve a balanced diet, rich nutrition, moderate work and rest.

Diet Therapy

Choose the diet therapy formula "Snow Soup" for conditioning:

Use two ounces of jellyfish (washed, long-rinse to remove the salt taste, chopped), six ounces of water chestnuts (peeled, diced), one dime of tangerine peel (shredded), with an appropriate amount of water, slow fire cook until thick like soup, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar to taste, take in two doses.

This formula is mild and nourishing, has the effect of nourishing yin and resolving phlegm, dispersing masses and promoting blood circulation, and has a good auxiliary treatment effect on lymph node enlargement and so on. It is not suitable for those with spleen-stomach deficiency cold and loose stools.

(February 2022)