A Case of Effective Pure TCM Treatment of Lymphoma (The Case of Qi)

Qi, male, 45 years old, from Liaoyuan, Jilin Province, worked as a criminal police officer. It is suspected that long-term late nights and excessive pressure related to his occupation led to his lymphoma. The patient had also suffered from hepatitis B for many years, as well as superficial erosive gastritis. The patient himself agreed to have his real identity published in this case report, but considering that he carries an infectious disease, the decision was made not to disclose his real name in order to protect his privacy.

On August 18, 2015, a PET-CT examination was performed at the Second Artillery General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army (CT No.: 15081818). The imaging diagnosis showed tumor lesions in the inguinal region. The patient also had possible cerebral infarction lesions. There were chronic inflammatory changes in both maxillary sinuses and emphysema in both lung apices. Mild fatty liver was noted, gallstones could not be excluded, and there were calcifications within the prostate.

On August 21, 2015, according to the pathology consultation opinion issued by the Department of Pathology, Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, and the Lymphoma Diagnosis and Research Center of Beijing Institute of Clinical Medicine, partial destruction of the left inguinal lymph node was observed, with scattered lymphoid follicle structures visible. In some follicles, the mantle zone was prominent, with more small lymphocyte infiltration between follicles. The lymphocytes had relatively abundant cytoplasm that stained pale; some nuclei were irregular, with moderate chromatin and indistinct nucleoli, and mitotic figures were visible. Pathological diagnosis: non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma of the left inguinal lymph node, low-grade, favoring marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.

On February 19, 2016, a CT examination at Jilin Province Hepatobiliary Disease Hospital (CT No. 160712) showed signs of cholecystitis, liver cirrhosis, and splenomegaly. Blood tests at the same hospital on the same day showed alpha-fetoprotein (Roche) at 277.900 (reference range 0.000–7.000), abnormal liver function, with elevated transaminases and bilirubin.

In mid-to-late February 2016, after completing examinations at Jilin Province Hepatobiliary Disease Hospital, the patient came to Beijing seeking treatment from me. He was accompanied by two family members. I and his family advised him to pursue integrated Chinese-Western medicine treatment, but the patient refused, insisting on pure TCM treatment.

At the first consultation, the patient had a wiry pulse and a yellow, greasy tongue coating. His physical strength was adequate and could tolerate attacking methods. The treatment approach was determined to soothe the liver and relieve stagnation, fortify the spleen, clear heat and detoxify, soften hard masses and dissipate nodules, and activate blood and resolve stasis. The formula was prescribed as follows:

Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) 10g, Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) 10g, Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) 20g, Fuling (Poria) 20g, Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) 20g, Baishao (White Peony Root) 20g, Huaishan (Dioscorea) 20g, Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit) 20g, Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) 15g, Yinchen (Artemisia Capillaris) 20g, Chao Zhizi (fried Gardenia Fruit) 15g, Sheng Gancao (raw Licorice Root) 15g, Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza) 40g, Sheng Huangqi (raw Astragalus) 15g, Baihua Sheshicao (Oldenlandia) 30g, Banzhilian (Scutellaria Barbata) 20g, Haipaoshi (Pumice) 20g (decoct first), Ezhu (Curcuma Zedoaria) 10g, Sanleng (Sparganium) 10g, Tengligen (Actinidia Root) 30g, Jiangcan (Stiff Silkworm) 10g, Jianghuang (Turmeric) 6g, Chantui (Cicada Slough) 6g, Xiakucao (Prunella Spike) 15g, Xuanshen (Scrophularia) 15g, Zhe Beimu (Fritillaria Thunbergii) 15g, Sheng Muli (raw Oyster Shell) 30g (decoct first)

Decoct in water, one dose per day, divided into three doses taken one hour after meals. Take for one week, then rest for one week.

Additionally, Chinese patent medicines:

1. Pingxiao Tablets, once in the morning, dosage per package instructions.

2. Xihuang Pills, once in the evening: 3g on day one, 6g on days 2–3, 9g on days 4–5, 12g on days 6–7.

As with the decoction, take for seven days then rest for seven days.

Western medicine: domestic thymosin, injected every other day.

Diet therapy: persist with Job's tears (yimi) porridge.

Exercise: persist with jogging and brisk walking.

After one month of medication, the patient returned to Liaoyuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital for an ultrasound follow-up. It was found that lymphoma on both left and right inguinal sides had all shrunk significantly—from over 3 cm down to over 2 cm. He was instructed to continue the medication. After more than a month, a repeat examination showed that all tumors had continued to shrink further from the previous baseline. Liver function had fully returned to normal. Alpha-fetoprotein had basically returned to normal. During this period, the patient had also taken antiviral medication for hepatitis B.

On May 21, the patient returned for consultation. The pulse was no longer wiry and was slightly on the weak side; the tongue was basically normal, and his physical strength was good. The liver showed slight drug-induced injury. The formula was adjusted with the same general approach, as follows:

Chaihu 10g, Huangqin 10g, Baizhu 20g, Fuling 20g, Danggui 20g, Baishao 20g, Huaishan 20g, Lianqiao 20g, Wuweizi 15g, Yinchen 20g, Chao Zhizi 15g, Sheng Gancao 15g, Danshen 40g, Sheng Huangqi 15g, Baihua Sheshicao 30g, Haipaoshi 20g (decoct first), Ezhu 10g, Sanleng 10g, Tengligen 30g, Jiangcan 10g, Jianghuang 6g, Chantui 6g, Xiakucao 15g, Xuanshen 15g, Zhe Beimu 15g, Sheng Muli 30g (decoct first), Chishao (Red Peony Root) 20g, Huangjing (Polygonatum) 20g, Zhi Biejia (prepared Turtle Shell) 15g (decoct first)

Patent medicines:

1. Xihuang Pills, same dosage as before.

2. Xiaojin Dan (Little Golden Pill).

Diet therapy and exercise as before. Avoid all kinds of tonics and nutritional supplements. May continue domestic thymosin, one vial every other day.

The patient is currently continuing treatment, and subsequent efficacy is under further observation. I also advised the patient to learn more about Western medical treatment options for lymphoma; if a good and acceptable plan becomes available, integrated Chinese-Western treatment could be considered. The patient insists on TCM only and rejects Western radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I therefore asked him to closely monitor his condition changes and return promptly if he experiences any discomfort; if sustained efficacy is not achieved, integrated treatment should be reconsidered.

The Western physicians treating this patient have also advised him to continue the current treatment approach. It is evident that TCM treatment of cancer does indeed have a certain clinical efficacy. The only way TCM can convince patients and Western doctors is through its therapeutic results.