Six Miraculous Cancer Case Records of the Late Professor Fang Mingqian of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Special note: These six cases are excerpted from Fang Mingqian Linzheng Shilu (Verbatim Clinical Records of Fang Mingqian), compiled by his disciple Shuai Laifu. Some herbs used are highly toxic; do not imitate them without the guidance of a professional TCM physician, or your life may be at risk.

Case One: Gastric cancer

Gong, male, 59. Stomach pain; complexion oily, yellowish, dull and lusterless. Western diagnosis: gastric cancer. Pulse deficient and weak; tongue red with yellow greasy coating. Feels comfortable eating dry food, yet has no appetite. Diagnosed within the scope of phlegm accumulation, qi stagnation, blood congealment, Zhengjia (abdominal masses), Pikuai, and regurgitation. Though the body is weak, the pathogen is exuberant; while resistance is still high, first soften hardness and attack the pathogen. Used Haizao Yuhu Tang combined with Sanleng Jian:

Haizao (Sargassum) 5 qian (note: Fang Mingqian was born in 1910 and practiced from the Republican era into the PRC; at that time 1 qian should equal today's 1 qian), Zhebeimu 5 qian, Sanleng 2 qian, Ezhu 2 qian, Qingpi (green tangerine peel) 1 qian, Fabanxia 2 qian, Shengmaiya (raw malt) 2 qian, Shengjiang (ginger) 3 slices, Kunbu 3 qian, Chenpi 2 qian, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum) 2 qian, Haidai (Kombu) 3 qian, Danggui (Angelica) 3 qian, Lianqiao (Forsythia) 3 qian, Shenggancao (raw licorice) 2 qian. Decoct in water; 5 doses.

Second visit: pulse deficient, tongue red with yellow coating; eating tolerable, stomach pain reduced. Principle: support vital qi and expel pathogen, digest food and guide stagnation, soften hardness and dissipate masses. Used:

Dangshen (Codonopsis) 3 qian, Zhi Huangqi (honey-fried Astragalus) 3 qian, Ziheche powder 2 qian (taken separately infused), Shudi (processed Rehmannia) 3 qian, Muxiang (Aucklandia) 5 fen, Sharen (Amomum) 5 fen, Yanhusuo (Corydalis) 3 qian, Haizao 3 qian, Duan Walengzi (calcined cockle shell) 3 qian, Jineijin (Chicken gizzard lining) 3 qian, Sheng Shanzha (raw hawthorn) 4 qian, Zhi Maqianzi (processed Strychnos) 5 fen (ground powder, taken separately; note: Strychnos is highly toxic but does have good anti-cancer action), Shenggancao 2 qian (note: Haizao and Gancao are a pair in the eighteen incompatibilities, yet many doctors use them together). Decoct in water; 5 doses.

Additionally, grind Shidi (persimmon calyx) into powder (the original text says "pressed into flour"; I changed it to ground powder for modern readers), mix into dry rice and steam together; eat at least once daily.

Third visit: pulse deficient, tongue pale with red points and thin yellow coating. Stomach pain reduced; can eat; stronger spirit. Should support vital qi and expel pathogen. Used Shaofu Zhuyu Tang modified:

Xiaohuixiang (fennel) 7 grains, fried; Ganjiang (dried ginger) 2 fen, fried; Yanhusuo 1 qian; Danggui 3 qian; Chuanxiong 1 qian; Guigui (cinnamon) 1 qian; Chishao (Red Peony) 2 qian; Puhuang (Typha) 3 qian; Danggui 3 qian; Wulingzhi (Trogopterus) 2 qian; Danshen 3 qian; Wangbuliuxing (Cowherb) 2 qian; Chuanshanjia 2 qian; Shuizhi (leech) 1 qian; Ezhu 2 qian. Decoct in water; 5 doses.

Additionally: add Buzhong Yiqi Wan 2 qian (patent) in the morning, and Liuwei Dihuang Wan 1 pill (patent) in the evening.

Fourth visit: patient passed black stool; spirit especially good; stomach rarely hurts. Pulse deficient, tongue pale with red points and thin white coating. Should support vital qi and expel pathogen.

Huangqi 1 liang, Dangshen 3 qian, Baizhu (Atractylodes) 2 qian, Zhuling (Polyporus) 5 qian, Shashen (Glehnia) 5 qian, Sheng Daizheshi (raw Hematite) 5 qian (decoct first), Dazao (jujube) 4 pieces, Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice) 2 qian, Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotis) 1 liang, Wangbuliuxing 3 qian, Yanhusuo 2 qian. Decoct in water; 5 doses.

Additionally: Shuizhi 1 liang, Bihu (gecko) 3 qian, Sheng Banxia (raw Pinellia) 3 qian (note: raw Pinellia cannot be bought in pharmacies now; only Qing Banxia may substitute; Pinellia is highly toxic and must be used with extreme caution). Grind together into fine powder; take twice a day, 2 fen each time.

Fifth visit: pain reduced; spirit good; appetite excellent. Pulse large, tongue pale with thin white coating. Continued the fourth-visit formula for one month. On recheck, the gastric cancer had shrunk; he advised stopping medication for a while; one-year follow-up showed no recurrence.

Case Two: Liver cancer

Gu, male, 50. Western diagnosis: liver cancer. Pulse deep and wiry; tongue red with yellow greasy coating; blue veins exposed in the right lower abdomen. This was a syndrome of the five types of tympanites—water, qi, blood, food, and worm. Used the Wugu Shen Fang (Divine Formula for the Five Tympanites; author's note: recorded in the Qing-era Qifang Leibian by Wu Shichang):

Laifuzi (radish seed) 4 liang, fried together with 16 Badou (Croton) seeds; Yazao (toothed soap pod) 1.5 liang, roasted and string removed; Chenxiang (Aquilaria) 4 qian; Zhiqiao (immature orange) 4 liang; Dahuang 1 liang, cooked in fire wine, sliced and fried; Hupo (Amber) 1 liang, wine-fried. Grind together into powder; take 1 qian each time at cockcrow with warm wine (author's note: Qifang Leibian says ginger-peel decoction may also be used); take for 7 days.

During these 7 days the patient passed innumerable watery, white-pus, and black-bloody stools each morning, yet his spirit was very good; in the afternoons the watery stool stopped. After 7 days he took Jinkui Shenqi Wan (patent) to regulate for one month. The cycle was repeated three times and the disease disappeared. Later Western examination found nothing; when asked what had happened, the Western doctors said the earlier diagnosis may have been a mistake.

(Author's note: checking Qifang Leibian, the master here used the standard method: take the Divine Formula for the Five Tympanites for seven days, then regulate with Jinkui Shenqi Wan.)

Case Three: Leukemia

Niu, male, 69. Western workup: leukemia. Anemic, transfused once a week. On presentation: thirsty but did not want to drink. Pulse deficient and rapid; tongue red with white greasy coating. Diagnosed as dual deficiency of qi and blood, original qi daily sinking, fluids exhausted, deficiency fire floating upward, qi with no root to store, rising into panting. Used Quanzhen Yiqi Tang modified to support vital qi and expel pathogen:

Shudi 5 qian, Muxiang 5 fen, Sharen 5 fen, Maidong (Ophiopogon) 3 qian, Baizhu 4 qian, Niuxi (Achyranthes) 3 qian, Wuweizi (Schisandra) 2 qian, Fuzi (processed Aconite) 1 qian, Renshen (Ginseng) 4 qian, Daqingye (Isatis leaf) 3 qian, Qiancao (Rubia) 2 qian, Qingdai 1 qian (taken separately), Xionghuang (Realgar) 1 qian (taken separately) (note: Realgar is highly toxic and hard to buy in pharmacies). Decoct in water; 7 doses.

Second visit: Western blood count rose; no transfusion needed. Head and face nodules gone, but body nodules remain. Spirit especially good; can eat 2 liang. Pulse deficient and weak; tongue red with red points at the tip and thin white coating. To support vital qi and expel pathogen, used:

Gouqizi (Lycium) 3 qian, Dazao 4 pieces, Dangshen 3 qian, Baizhu 3 qian, Huangqi 5 qian, Danggui 2 qian, Danshen 2 qian, Chishao 2 qian, Ezhu 2 qian, Heshouwu (Polygonum) 3 qian, Baihuasheshecao 1 liang, Chonglou (Paris) 5 qian, Huangyaozi (Dioscorea bulbifera) 2 qian, Banzhilian (Scutellaria barbata) 1 liang, Qingdai 2 qian (separate), Xionghuang 2 qian (separate). Decoct in water; 7 doses.

Third visit: no transfusion; eyelids swollen; body nodules lighter; spirits good. Pulse fine and weak; tongue pale with thin white coating. Treated by supporting vital qi, expelling pathogen, and attacking toxin:

Sheng Huangqi 1 liang, Danggui 3 qian, Xishuguo (Camptotheca fruit) 6 qian (decoct first; note: Camptotheca fruit is highly toxic and generally not sold today), Wugong (centipede) 2 worms, Banzhilian 1 liang, Xionghuang 1 liang (separate), Qingdai 2 qian (separate), Shengjiang 3 slices, Huangjing (Polygonatum) 3 qian, Bei Shashen 3 qian, Dangshen 3 qian, Huai Shanyao (Chinese yam) 4 qian, Sheng Baishao 3 qian, Zhigancao 2 qian, Maidong 3 qian, Shengdi (raw Rehmannia) 3 qian, Sheng Longgu (raw Dragon bone) 5 qian (decoct first), Sheng Muli 5 qian (decoct first), Wuweizi 3 qian, Shanzhuyu (Cornus) 3 qian, Dazao 5 pieces. Decoct in water; 7 doses.

Fourth visit: no transfusion; body nodules with unchanged skin color; heavy eyelids. Pulse fine and weak; tongue pale with thin white coating. Used qi-tonifying, blood-generating, detoxifying, nodule-scattering:

Sheng Huangqi 1 liang, Danggui 4 qian, Huangjing 3 qian, Ziheche powder 3 qian (separate), Ejiao (Ass hide glue) 3 qian (dissolved), Biejia (turtle shell) 5 qian (decoct first), Huangyaozi 3 qian, Quanxie (scorpion) 2 qian, Wugong 2 worms, Lingyang powder (antelope) 2 qian (separate), Xishuguo 5 qian (decoct first), Qingdai 2 qian (separate), Xionghuang 1 qian (separate). Decoct in water; 7 doses.

Fifth visit: since starting Chinese herbs, no transfusion at all. Pulse fine; tongue pale with thin white coating. Should supplement both yin and yang, support vital qi and expel pathogen:

Sheng Huangqi 1 liang, Danggui 3 qian, Shudi 2 qian, Muxiang 5 fen, Sharen 5 fen, Gouqizi 3 qian, Huai Shanyao 5 qian, Ziheche powder 3 qian (separate), Ejiao 3 qian (dissolved), Baishao 3 qian, Dazao 5 pieces, Pao Fuzi (blast-fried Aconite) 1 qian, Nüzhenzi (Ligustrum) 2 qian, Hanliancao (Eclipta) 2 qian, Danshen 3 qian, Xishuguo powder 3 qian (decoct first), Xionghuang 1 qian (separate), Qingdai 2 qian (separate). 7 doses.

Later, because this was not a contract (insured) unit and reimbursement was a problem, he transferred to a contract hospital; one year later he was still alive.

Case Four: Lip cancer

Wan, male, 54. A silkworm-cocoon-like growth below the lower lip, peeling, burning and itching, with no severe pain. Pulse deep and fine; tongue red with a glossy coating. This was Jianchun (cocoon lip). If it worsens and the gums and jaws all ulcerate, it is difficult to treat; mistaken treatment means death. This is heart-fire in command; must treat branch and root together. Only by treating heart and kidney yin can it work. Internal Yin-Nourishing Fire-Draining Decoction modified:

Shudihuang 3 qian, Dihuang (raw Rehmannia) 3 qian, Tiandong (Asparagus) 3 qian, Maidong 3 qian, salt-processed Zhimu and Huangbai, each 3 qian (author's note: should be salt-Zhimu, salt-Huangbai), Danggui 4 qian, wine Baishao 3 qian, Chenpi 2 qian, Sheng Baizhu 2 qian, Zhigancao 1 qian, Renshen 2 qian, Shengjiang 3 slices, Dazao 4 pieces, Shanzhuyu 3 qian, Zhi Guiban (processed turtle shell) 4 qian (decoct first), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root) 5 qian, Shihu (Dendrobium) 2 qian. Decoct in water; 7 doses.

External: the Greatly Effective Formula for Ulcerating Sores:

Duan Renzhongbai (calcined human white deposit) 5 qian, Ercha (catechu) 4 qian, Qingdai 3 qian, Bohe (mint) 2 qian, Chao Huangbai (fried Phellodendron) 2 qian, Xionghuang 1 qian, Bingpian 3 fen, Shaoqingguo he (roasted Chinese olive pit) 4 qian, Tonglü (verdigris) 1 qian, Ku fan (dried alum) 1 qian, Zhi Jineijin (processed chicken gizzard lining) 2 qian, Pengsha (borax) 1 qian 5 fen. Grind extremely fine. Apply a little every day to the sore. For ulcerated areas use dry powder; for non-ulcerated, mix with sesame oil.

Second visit: pulse wiry and fine; tongue red with thin yellow coating. Pain reduced; slightly stronger spirit, but irritable and easily angered. This is fire of liver, gallbladder, and sanjiao. The root is kidney yin deficiency with effulgent fire. Used Yin-Nourishing Fire-Draining Decoction combined with Chaihu Qinggan Tang:

Chaihu 2 qian, Huangqi 1 qian, Renshen 1 qian, Chuanxiong 1 qian, Lianqiao 1 qian, Jiegeng (Platycodon) 1 qian, Shenggancao 1 qian, Shudihuang 3 qian, Dihuang 3 qian, Tiandong 3 qian, Maidong 3 qian, salt Zhimu and Huangbai each 3 qian, Danggui 4 qian. Decoct in water; 7 doses.

External treatment as in the first visit.

Third visit: pulse wiry and fine; tongue red with thin yellow coating. Symptoms: dry mouth and throat, irritability. Diagnosed: yin deficiency with effulgent fire, liver stagnation and blood deficiency. Should nourish yin and drain fire, soothe the liver and resolve stagnation. Used Yin-Nourishing Fire-Draining Decoction combined with Xiaoyao San modified:

Chaihu 2 qian, Danggui 4 qian, Baishao 2 qian, Baizhu 2 qian, Fuling 2 qian, Shenggancao 1 qian, Shudihuang 3 qian, Dihuang 3 qian, Tiandong 3 qian, Maidong 3 qian, salt Zhimu and Huangbai each 3 qian, Chenpi 2 qian, Renshen 2 qian, Shengjiang 3 slices, Dazao 4 pieces. Decoct in water; 7 doses.

External formula as before.

The three formulas were alternated; after four months total the patient was cured.

Case Five: Finger cancer

Mr. Bi, male, 48. On a finger of the left hand there was a hollow cavity with scabbed skin outside; the finger bled constantly and would not stop. Western diagnosis: "finger cancer"; some diagnosed melanoma. Some advised amputation, some freezing; treatments varied. On my examination: pulse deficient and large; tongue red with blood-stasis points. Diagnosed as hemangioma. Used the Divine-Lamp moxibustion method (author's note: a kind of moxibustion):

Zhusha (cinnabar) 2 qian, Xionghuang 2 qian, Xuejie 2 qian, Moyao 2 qian, Shexiang (musk) 4 fen. Grind together into powder. Roll paper into a taper, dip in oil, and light it. Apply 3–4 times a day to rot away corruption and detoxify, invigorate blood and reduce swelling.

Internal: Xihuang Wan and Xiaojin Dan (patents), twice a day, 2 qian of each each time.

External: Hongsheng Dan (patent; note: Hongsheng Dan is also highly toxic and hard to buy today), a little mixed with sesame oil and applied.

After a little over a month, cured.

Case Six: Breast cancer

Liu, female, over forty. Her face was still normal, but anxiety showed on it; she was restless. On the left breast there were two very hard nodules, angular. Peking Union Medical College Hospital examined and diagnosed "breast cancer" and urged surgery. Pulse wiry, fine, and weak; tongue pale with thin white coating. Diagnosed as Ru Yan (breast rock). She should clear her heart and limit desires, take less part in affairs, keep her spirit cheerful to free herself from vexation and overcome the disease, then be matched with medicine: support the upright and secure the origin, open phlegm and resolve stasis, broaden the chest and reduce toxin. Used Shiquan Dabu Tang:

Renshen 2 qian, Rougui (cinnamon bark) 1 qian, Chuanxiong 1 qian, Shengdi 3 qian, Shudi 3 qian, Fuling 3 qian, Baizhu 3 qian, Zhigancao 2 qian, Huangqi 5 qian, Danggui 3 qian, Baishao 3 qian, Shengjiang 3 slices, Dazao 3 pieces. Decoct in water; 10 doses.

External: Zijin Ding (patent) applied topically. Also: 2 jin crab shells, fried yellow and ground into powder; take 2 qian each time with yellow rice wine.

Second visit: pulse wiry; tongue pale with thin white coating. Spirit good. Treated with Da Gualou Yin:

One large Gualou (Trichosanthes fruit), Shengma (Cimicifuga) 1 qian, Dangguiwei (Angelica tail) 3 qian, Zhimu (Anemarrhena) 1 qian, Qingpi 2 qian, Chuanshanjia 1 qian, Chaihu 2 qian, Chuanxiong 1 qian, Yuanshen 2 qian, Baizhi 1 qian, Tianhuafen 5 qian, Jiegeng 1 qian, Yuanhu 1 qian, Mutong (Akebia) 1 qian, Mubiezi (Momordica) 1 qian, yellow wine 2 liang. Decoct in water and wine; 10 doses.

Additionally, take Xiaojin Dan (patent) 2 qian in the morning and Xihuang Wan (patent) 2 qian in the evening as adjuvants.

Third visit: pulse fine; tongue pale with thin white coating. Symptoms had not progressed but had not greatly subsided. Renshen Guipi Wan (patent), twice a day, one pill each time. Continue Xiaojin Dan and Xihuang Wan morning and evening.

Pill-guide decoction: Danggui 4 qian, Gualou 5 qian, Ruxiang 3 qian, Moyao 3 qian, Jinyinhua 8 qian, Shenggancao 5 qian, Pugongying (dandelion) 1 liang, yellow wine 4 liang. Decoct together in water and wine; drink a large bowl, to slight sweating.

Before sleep, again take crab shell, fried yellow and ground, 2 qian each time with yellow rice wine.

External: Zijin Ding, ground with vinegar, applied to the breast cancer.

Fourth visit: pulse wiry; tongue pale with thin yellow coating. Nodules had begun to shrink. Then use modified Xiaoyao San (patent) twice a day, plus the crab-shell method internally. Zijin Ding externally. In all, after two months, cured.

Master Fang's note: This disease arises from anxious brooding and thwarted ambition. It forms into nodules or masses, long or round, of various shapes. The mass is very hard, angular, firm as rock, as if rooted; this is the dangerous sign.