Liu Shaowu’s “Tiaoshen Gongjian Decoction” for Breast Cancer
Liu Shaowu (1907–2004), former chief physician of the Taiyuan Institute of Chinese Medicine, once treated a breast cancer patient with the following formula: Chaihu (Bupleurum) 15 g, Huangqin (Scutellaria) 15 g, Suzi (Perilla fruit) 30 g, Dangshen (Codonopsis) 30 g, Xiakucao (Prunella) 30 g, Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria seed) 90 g, Muli (oyster shell) 30 g, Gualou (Trichosanthes) 30 g, Shigao (gypsum) 30 g, Chenpi (tangerine peel) 30 g, Baishao (white Paeonia) 30 g, Chuanjiao (Sichuan pepper) 5 g, Dazao (jujube) 10 pieces. Decoct in water; one dose daily.The patient was a 34-year-old female teacher. In September 1973, four months after breast cancer surgery, she had a recurrence and first sought treatment from Liu. At recurrence there was a walnut-sized mass in the breast with lymph-node metastasis in both axillae and the neck. She was extremely emaciated, with sallow complexion, weak limbs, poor appetite, fine weak pulse, and yellow greasy tongue coating. Liu prescribed the above formula.After 30 doses, all tumors began to shrink and her spirits improved. By 120 doses, all tumors had completely disappeared, weight increased by 10 kg, and strength clearly recovered. By 180 doses, weight had increased by over 20 kg, her mental state was good, and pulse and tongue were normal. Re-examination showed no tumor; followed for six years, she had no recurrence and remained healthy.Liu Shaowu specifically noted that he also used this formula for other tumor patients with good results. But Liu did not record the other patients in detail, so we cannot conduct a systematic study of this prescription.Unlike most doctors who adjust formulas periodically, Liu long maintained the same prescription for this breast cancer patient. Moreover, he used this same prescription for his other cancer patients too.In Liu’s prescription, the doses are all very large, especially Wangbuliuxing, which reaches 90 g. Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria seed) is a specific Chinese medicine for breast diseases; Chinese medicine uses it for women’s amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and breast-abscess swelling pain—but the usual dose is 6–15 g. Liu used 90 g, which shows his boldness: a focused, forceful formula yields ideal results.Moreover, Gualou (Trichosanthes) is also a specific TCM treatment for breast diseases; in ancient times a single Gualou was often used for breast masses. In Liu’s formula, Gualou’s dose was also unusually large, 30 g daily. Xiakucao clears heat, detoxifies, disperses nodules, and reduces swelling; Liu’s dose, 30 g, was also unlike the ordinary. And Chenpi and Suzi—qi-moving, nodule-dispersing herbs—rarely exceed 10 g in ordinary doctors’ prescriptions, but Liu dared use 30 g. This shows Liu’s boldness in dosing.This formula’s composition follows Xiaochaihu Decoction but with targeted adaptations. Liu chose Xiaochaihu Decoction’s framework mainly because women’s breast tumors relate to liver-qi stagnation and belong to liver-channel disorders. Thus he used Chaihu-series formulas to soothe the liver and resolve stagnation, plus a large dose of Baishao to emolliate the liver and stop pain—following pattern differentiation and treatment. At the same time, considering the features of breast tumors, he chose Wangbuliuxing, Gualou, Xiakucao, and Chenpi—herbs specifically treating this disease—achieving disease differentiation. Combining pattern differentiation with disease differentiation, it is no wonder good results were achieved.Liu’s case offers much to learn. TCM treats tumors with more than one formula and more than one method; achieving results depends on proper dosing.