A Commonly Used TCM Anti-Cancer Formula: "Di Tan Tang"
Di Tan Tang (Phlegm-Scourging Decoction) comes from "Ji Sheng Fang" (Formulas to Aid the Living). It was originally a TCM formula for treating stiff tongue and inability to speak after stroke (i.e., one type of sequelae of present-day cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction), presenting with patterns such as clouded spirit and abundant sputum, headache and dizziness, cough with wheezing phlegm, fullness in the chest and diaphragm, nausea and vomiting, stiff tongue with inability to speak, or impaired limb movement, a sticky greasy tongue coating, and a soft, slippery pulse. But modern TCM also uses it widely in treating tumors.
Di Tan Tang is composed of Zhi Nanxing (processed Arisaema), Fabanxia (prepared Pinellia), Zhi shi (immature bitter orange), Fuling (Poria), Shichangpu (Acorus gramineus), juhong (tangerine red peel), Renshen (Panax ginseng), Zhuru (Bambusa tuldoides shavings), and Gancao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis). TCM holds that it has the effects of fortifying the spleen and dispelling phlegm, clearing the heart and opening the orifices. The dosage of each herb can be adjusted according to the patient's condition.
Di Tan Tang can be used to treat brain tumors, lung cancer, head and neck tumors of the throat, osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and other tumors, as well as cancer complications such as tumor bone metastasis, tumor brain metastasis, and spinal cord compression syndrome. It can also be used as a remedial treatment for sequelae such as numbness of the hands and feet in chemotherapy patients.
Because these tumors also easily present with symptoms of abundant phlegm obstructing qi, according to the characteristics of TCM pattern differentiation, we can use Di Tan Tang as the main formula to relieve the patient's suffering of abundant phlegm and chest tightness, cough and counterflow qi. In addition, Zhi Nanxing (processed Arisaema), Fabanxia (prepared Pinellia), Fuling (Poria), and Renshen (ginseng) in this formula are also commonly used anti-tumor herbs.
The key to applying this formula is that the patient has symptoms of phlegm blocking the upper respiratory tract; this formula can improve the quality of life of such patients. If the cough is severe, one must also add Qianhu (Peucedanum), Ziwan (Aster tataricus), Kuandonghua (Tussilago farfara), Xingren (Prunus armeniaca kernel), and Zhi Mahuang (processed Ephedra), herbs that stop cough and calm wheezing. If there is a pattern of phlegm-heat mutual binding, with the patient restless, agitated, and feverish, one must also add Sheng Shigao (raw gypsum), Bohe (Mentha), Digupi (Lycium chinense root bark), and Baiwei (Cynanchum atratum), herbs that reduce fever. If there is bleeding, one must add Baiji (Bletilla striata), Xianhecao (Agrimonia), Fengweicao (Pteris multifida), and Qiance (Rubia cordifolia). If abdominal distension is severe, one may add, as appropriate, Foshou (Citrus medica sarcodactylis), Houpo (Magnolia officinalis), Maiya (Hordeum vulgare sprout), and Shanzha (Crataegus pinnatifida), qi-moving and digestant herbs.
Di Tan Tang alone has limited anti-cancer strength and must be used in combination with other anti-tumor herbs. The role of Di Tan Tang is to treat the branch—relieving symptoms such as respiratory distress and clouded consciousness caused by abundant phlegm, which are relatively common in upper-body tumors. Anti-cancer and swelling-resolving still require combining with other anti-cancer, swelling-resolving herbs such as Banmao (Mylabris), Chansu (toad venom), Banzhilian (Scutellaria barbata), Chonglou (Paris polyphylla), Sanleng (Sparganium stoloniferum), and Ezhu (Curcuma zedoaria).
One point to note here is that herbs like Zhi shi (immature bitter orange) may cause various bleeding symptoms in patients. In mid-to-late stage cancer patients, tumors easily ulcerate; if the dosages of qi-moving and blood-activating herbs are too large, they can easily cause hemoptysis, gastric bleeding, or hematochezia. So one must carefully control the dosage when using herbs; for patients who already have bleeding, these should be prohibited, and hemostatic herbs must be paired with them.