Doctor Duan Fengwu's Empirical Prescription for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer
The late Dr. Duan Fengwu was the son of Duan Futing, a famous TCM external-medicine specialist in China, and one of the founding experts of Guang'anmen Hospital of TCM. In his lifetime, Dr. Duan was known for his skill in treating external conditions; in his later years he specialized in the treatment of various benign and malignant tumors. He left behind many empirical tumor formulas; this article introduces one of them for esophageal and gastric cancer.
The formula is: Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) 30 g, processed Pinellia (Qing Banxia) 10 g, Coptis (Huanglian) 7 g, Clematis root (Weilingxian) 30 g, Impatiens seed (Jixingzi) 15 g, Momordica seed (Mubiezi Ren) 10 g, sandalwood (Tanxiang) 7 g, raw Astragalus (Sheng Huangqi) 30 g, Ligustrum fruit (Nüzhenzi) 30 g, raw Polygonum multiflorum (Sheng Heshouwu) 30 g, Glabrous greenbrier rhizome (Tu Fuling) 30 g, Selfheal spike (Xiakucao) 15 g, each of the three parched digestants (Jiao Sanxian—charred hawthorn, malt, and medicated leaven) 10 g, Lignum Aquilariae powdered (Chenxiang Mo) 3 g, taken in two divided doses infused with the decoction.
Preparation and dosage: This is the adult daily dose. One packet is decocted in water twice and taken in two divided doses, 200–300 ml each time. Before decocting, soak the herbs for about 15 minutes; bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for half an hour. Add about 600 ml water and decoct down to 200 ml.
Modifications: For retrosternal pain, add Curcuma yujin (Yujin) 10 g, Corydalis rhizome (Yuanhuo) 10 g, Asarum (Xixin) 3 g, Olibanum (Ruxiang) 7 g, Myrrh (Moyao) 7 g, Zanthoxylum (Huajiao) 10 g; for difficulty swallowing, add Borax (Pengsha) 7 g, Mume (Wumei) 10 g; for qi stagnation causing obstruction, add clam shell (Walengzi) 10 g, Melia toosendan fruit (Chuanlianzi) 10 g.
Dr. Duan's formula can relieve chest tightness, dysphagia, hiccups, reduced food intake, emaciation, and dry stool in patients with benign or malignant esophageal tumors. It is a modification of Xiao Xianxiong Tang (Minor Chest-Opener Decoction) from the Shanghan Lun. It may also be used for gastric cancer patients with the same symptoms.
The Qing Banxia (clear-processed Pinellia) in this formula is highly toxic; nowadays it is rarely sold, and pharmacies generally sell only the processed Fabanxia, which may be used as a substitute. Impatiens seed and Momordica seed are also fairly toxic, and raw Polygonum multiflorum has some toxicity. These may cause abnormal liver function, so patients taking this formula should have liver and kidney function checked regularly. If liver function becomes abnormal after taking it, the formula should be stopped.
The main effect of this formula is to relieve certain clinical symptoms in esophageal and gastric cancer patients; on its own, its tumor-suppressing action is limited. Patients who can afford it should, while taking this formula, also take some Chinese patent or Western anticancer medicines. Cancer is difficult to treat, and relying on TCM alone has a relatively low success rate; it is best to combine it with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy to relieve suffering and enhance clinical efficacy.