A Shandong Mesothelioma Patient After More Than Two Years of Pure TCM Treatment (Still Healthy)

This is the treatment record of one of my patients. In 2013, after repeated Western treatments failed, he turned to TCM. He first sought treatment from a famous anti-cancer professor; when that failed, he decided to come to me. He then received my treatment on and off for as long as two years. When he first consulted me, the hospital had declared he had only a few months to live. He came to my clinic with his belly distended by ascites. Now, more than two years later, the patient is still working normally like a healthy person. Treatment is still ongoing; I hope to see him live healthily and long.

Because I lost the notebook recording his case history, I can only rely on the patient himself to sort out the prescription records. The pulse cases cannot be found; only part of the records still exists in an old article. I publish the records here for the reference of other patients with the same condition.

The patient was a 43-year-old male with peritoneal mesothelioma. When he came to me, his CA125 was 66.47 (normal reference 0–35), with multiple hepatic nodules, the largest 1.2 × 1.0 cm, mild splenomegaly, and ascites. After one month of pure TCM according to my prescription, a recheck showed CA125 had dropped to 46.32, the largest hepatic nodule had shrunk to 0.8 × 0.6 cm, and the ascites had decreased. After another month of treatment, a further recheck showed CA125 had returned to the normal range at 34.89, and the largest hepatic nodule was 0.8 × 0.8 cm. The ascites basically remained as before, but the patient's stamina improved markedly, his weight recovered, and he improved greatly overall.

This patient had peritoneal mesothelioma. More than a year before, he had improved somewhat after chemotherapy. For the following year-plus, without Western treatment, the cancer recurred and ascites appeared; he was treated by a famous TCM professor in Beijing according to a prescription, but without effect. So in early August of that year he consulted me.

On the first visit, the patient's pulse was hollow (kou) and soft; the underside of the tongue was pale purple, the dorsal surface covered with fine white coating, with a thick coating at the root, no teeth marks, and varicose veins on the underside. He disliked drinking water. He was anemic, with no healthy glow, obvious transverse lines on the nails, cold hands and feet, obvious distension of the lower abdomen in the bladder region, and small urine volume. He had previously taken Shenqi Wan on his own without effect. He felt fatigued; his stool was loose yet very difficult to pass. He could have one bowel movement a day, in small amount. Walking caused lower-back distending pain. His appetite was normal; the patient reported that he had previously had bad breath.

Combining the pulse and the face-visit impression, I patterned-differentiated the patient as a yin pattern among cancer patients, and decided to treat him according to the "Quansheng school" approach. On the basis of Yanghe Tang (Yang-Harming Decoction), I made additions according to his symptoms.

First-visit prescription:

Lujiaojiao (Deer-horn Glue) 12g, melted separately; Baijiezi (Mustard Seed) 8g; Shudihuang (Processed Rehmannia) 40g; Mahuang (Ephedra) 2g; Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) 4g, added later; Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice) 4g; Paojiang (Dry-fried Ginger) 2g; Laifuzi (Radish Seed) 30g; Niuxi (Achyranthes) 15g; Duzhong (Eucommia) 15g.

One decoction per day, taken once in the early morning. Every evening take one dose of Xihuang Wan (Yellow Emperor Pill): start at 6g, increase by 3g every two days up to a maximum of 12g. Take for seven days, then stop for seven days; or stop if diarrhea appears.

The patient began taking the medicine strictly according to my instructions on August 10, 2013. After taking it he tended to sweat easily, so I had him add 30g of Sheng Huangqi (Raw Astragalus) to the original formula and continue; after adding Sheng Huangqi, the easy sweating disappeared. The gastric pain caused by his pre-existing stomach problem disappeared, his stamina improved markedly, and his spirit greatly improved. The loose stool became looser after dosing, but much easier to pass; urine returned to normal, and the ascites slowly subsided. After seven days of dosing he stopped for seven days as instructed.

On August 24 the patient asked for a new prescription. I added the Er Chen (Two Aged) herbs to the previous formula.

Sheng Huangqi (Raw Astragalus) 30g; Lujiaojiao (Deer-horn Glue) 12g, melted separately; Baijiezi (Mustard Seed) 8g; Shudihuang (Processed Rehmannia) 40g; Mahuang (Ephedra) 2g; Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) 4g, added later; Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice) 4g; Paojiang (Dry-fried Ginger) 2g; Laifuzi (Radish Seed) 30g; Niuxi (Achyranthes) 15g; Duzhong (Eucommia) 15g; Fabanxia (Processed Pinellia) 10g; Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 10g.

Xihuang Wan: 6g each night on days one and two; 9g each night on days three and four; 12g each night on days five and six. On day six the patient reported a toxic-like reaction, feeling very uncomfortable, dizzy, and with a heavy lower back, so the medicine was stopped.

After stopping, the patient went to the hospital for a recheck: ascites had subsided, the CA index had dropped, and the hepatic nodules had shrunk.

On September 7 the patient resumed medication; I had him continue the August 24 plan unchanged. His condition continued to improve. This time he took the medicine for seven days without the previous toxic reaction. After seven days he stopped for seven days. On September 23 he again asked for advice on medication; I told him that since the formula was effective he should not change it, and to continue.

On October 8 the patient was rechecked: the CA index had already returned to normal, but the spleen was still slightly enlarged, and the hepatic nodules had not all disappeared. On October 13 he again asked about medication; because the patient showed slight blood stasis, I told him to add 20g of Danshen (Salvia) to the original formula and continue. On October 28 he again asked about medication; by now his stamina had greatly improved, and I felt I could appropriately increase the force against evil. I also told him to eat a low-protein, low-fat diet.

The prescription was as follows:

Lujiaojiao (Deer-horn Glue) 12g, steamed to melt; Baijiezi (Mustard Seed) 8g; Shudihuang (Processed Rehmannia) 40g; Mahuang (Ephedra) 2g; Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) 4g, added later; Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice) 4g; Paojiang (Dry-fried Ginger) 2g; Laifuzi (Radish Seed) 20g; Dafupi (Areca Peel) 10g; Chuanniuxi (Sichuan Achyranthes) 10g; Duzhong (Eucommia) 10g; Fabanxia (Processed Pinellia) 10g; Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 6g; Sheng Huangqi (Raw Astragalus) 30g; Danshen (Salvia) 15g; Sanleng (Bur Reed) 6g; Ezhu (Zedoary) 6g; Shuihonghuazi (Polygonum Seed) 10g; Chaihu (Bupleurum) 6g; Huangqin (Scutellaria) 6g.

When this patient developed multiple hepatic nodules and splenomegaly with ascites, he received no Western treatment at all, nor was he given diuretics. Because he had read my blog for more than a year and trusted me greatly, and because he stubbornly hoped to be treated purely with TCM, during treatment I did not follow the modern standard Western approach to ascites—giving albumin and diuretics. I relied purely on TCM pattern differentiation: the patient was differentiated as yang-deficiency constitution, and I treated him with modified Yanghe Tang.

October 13: Lujiaojiao 12, Baijiezi 8, Shudihuang 40, Mahuang 2, Rougui 4 (added later), Sheng Gancao 4, Paojiang 2, Laifuzi 30, Niuxi 15, Duzhong 15, Fabanxia 10, Chenpi 10, Sheng Huangqi 30, Danshen 20. [Taking medicine on the 13th–19th] Xihuang Wan 6.9.9.9.12.12.12.

On October 30, 2013 the formula was changed to: Lujiaojiao 12g (steamed to melt), Baijiezi 8g, Shudihuang 40g, Mahuang 2g, Rougui 4g (added later), Sheng Gancao 4g, Paojiang 2g, Laifuzi 20g, Dafupi 10g, Chuanniuxi 10g, Duzhong 10g, Fabanxia 10g, Chenpi 6g, Sheng Huangqi 30g, Danshen 15g, Sanleng 6g, Ezhu 6g, Shuihonghuazi 10g.

November 28–29, 2013: this decoction for two days in total. November 30 – December 4, 2013: decoction plus Roucongrong (Cistanche) 20g for five days in total. Lujiaojiao 12g (steamed to melt), Baijiezi 8g, Shudihuang 40g, Mahuang 2g, Rougui 4g (added later), Sheng Gancao 4g, Paojiang 2g, Laifuzi 20g, Dafupi 10g, Chuanniuxi 10g, Duzhong 10g, Fabanxia 10g, Chenpi 6g, Sheng Huangqi 30g, Danshen 15g, Sanleng 6g, Ezhu 6g, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Chaihu 6g, Huangqin 6g. Xihuang Wan dosage (9, 9, 9, 9, 12, 12, 12).

On December 8, 2013 the formula was changed: Lujiaojiao 12g (steamed to melt), Baijiezi 8g, Shudihuang 40g, Mahuang 2g, Rougui 4g (added later), Sheng Gancao 4g, Paojiang 2g, Laifuzi 30g, Chuanniuxi 10g, Duzhong 10g, Xuduan (Teasel) 10g, Tusizi (Cuscuta) 10g, Sheng Huangqi 20g, Danshen 12g, Sanleng 6g, Ezhu 6g, Shuihonghuazi 10g, Chaihu 6g, Huangqin 6g, Gualoupi (Trichosanthes Peel) 15g, Roucongrong (Cistanche) 15g, Maozhaocao (Ranunculus) 30g, Zhuling (Polyporus) 8g, Baihua Sheshicao (Oldenlandia) 30g. Xihuang Wan as above.

February 8, 2014: Chaihu 12g, Huangqin 12g, Dangshen (Codonopsis) 15g, Chenpi 10g, Fabanxia 10g, Shudihuang 40g, Baijiezi 8g, Lujiaojiao 12g (melted separately), Paojiang 2g, Sheng Mahuang (Raw Ephedra) 2g, Sheng Gancao 4g, Sheng Huangqi 30g, Rougui 4g (added later), Maozhaocao 30g, Fuling (Poria) 10g, Baizhu (Atractylodes) 10g. Take this formula for a week to see whether it is tolerated.

February 17, 2014: Chaihu 12g, Huangqin 12g, Dangshen 15g, Chenpi 10g, Fabanxia 10g, Shudihuang 40g, Baijiezi 8g, Lujiaojiao 12g (melted separately), Paojiang 2g, Sheng Mahuang 2g, Sheng Gancao 4g, Sheng Huangqi 30g, Rougui 4g (added later), Maozhaocao 30g, Fuling 10g, Baizhu 10g, Yiren (Coix) 30g.

April 12–18, 2014, seven days in total; April 25–30, six days in total. Shudihuang 40, Lujiaojiao 12, Baijiezi 8, Paojiang 2, Mahuang 2, Sheng Gancao 4, Rougui 4, Mudanpi (Moutan) 8, Zhuling 8, Fuling 8, Zexie (Alisma) 8, Chaihu 12, Huangqi 12, Danggui (Angelica) 8, Huangjing (Polygonatum) 8, Pianjianghuang (Turmeric slice) 6, Chao Jiangcan (Stir-fried Bombyx) 10, Chanyi (Cicada Slough) 6, Maozhaocao 30, Yiyiren (Coix) 15, Chuanniuxi 8, Baishao (White Peony) 12, Zhizi (Gardenia) 6.

June 2014: Shudihuang 40, Lujiaojiao 12, Baijiezi 8, Mahuang 2, Paojiang 2, Rougui 4, Sheng Gancao 4, Huoxiang (Patchouli) 10, Peilan (Eupatorium) 10, Danpi 10, Zhizi 10, Zexie 10, Maozhaocao 30, Laifuzi 30, Yiyiren 60, Taoren (Peach Kernel) 6, Honghua (Safflower) 6, Ezhu 6, Jianghuang (Turmeric) 6, Jiangcan 10, Chanyi 6, Banzhilian (Scutellaria barbata) 30, Kushen (Sophora) 15, Qiancao (Madder) 10.

November 2014: Sheng Huangqi 30, Danggui 6, Shudihuang 40, Sheng Mahuang 2, Paojiang 2, Rougui 4, Baijiezi 8, Lujiaojiao 12, Zexie 6, Zhizi 6, Chaihu 6, Huangqin 6, Banzhilian 15, Qianliguang (Senecio) 15, Mudanpi 6, Qiancao 12.

Local TCM herbs. April 21 and May 5, 2015: these two doses were decocted at the local TCM doctor's own pharmacy; many characters are illegible. July 29: herbs dispensed at a large hospital. Maixiang 10, Cangzhu (Atractylodes) 10, Huoxiang 10, Baihua Sheshicao 15, Baitouweng (Pulsatilla) 15, Dangshen 20, Fuling 15, Baizhu 10, Hehuanhua (Albizia Flower) 20, Huangqi 30, Chenpi 9, Yimi 30, Qianshimi (Euryale Seed) 15, Baihe (Lily Bulb) 10, Wuzhu (Evodia) 9, Huanglian (Coptis) 3, Shanyao (Dioscorea) 20, Zexie 20, Xiyangshen (American Ginseng) 9, Chaihu 4, Jiuxiangchong (Aspongopus) 30.

August 18: Maixiang 10, Cangzhu 10, Huoxiang 10, Baihua Sheshicao 15, Baitouweng 15, Dangshen 20, Fuling 15, Baizhu 10, Hehuanhua 20, Huangqi 30, Chenpi 9, Yimi 30, Qianshimi 15, Baihe 10, Wuzhu 9, Huanglian 3, Shanyao 20, Zexie 20, Xiyangshen 9, Chaihu 4, Wuyao (Lindera) 10 (Jiuxiangchong removed because the large hospital did not stock it).

The patient will soon come to Beijing for a follow-up with me. I hope this case record can keep being updated, and I hope to see this patient survive long-term.