A TCM Case Report: Over Two Years of Treatment of Lung Cancer Patient Cui
Cui, male, was 70 years old at the first visit. He had smoked for decades and was still unable to quit. On July 22, 2020, his family contacted me through the referral of a family member of a previous patient I had treated, seeking help remotely online.
The patient had just been discharged from Ulanqab Central Hospital on July 21, 2020 (admission no. 00244743). The main discharge diagnoses were: space-occupying lesion of the left upper lobe (highly likely malignant), enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, enlarged cervical and supraclavicular lymph nodes, hypertension, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, thyroid nodules, bullae, emphysema, cerebral infarction, carotid atherosclerosis, subclavian atherosclerosis, aortic atherosclerosis, prostatic hyperplasia with calcification, and left renal cyst.
Because the patient had so many underlying conditions, neither his family nor the local hospital dared to perform invasive examinations, and they were concerned about the risks of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The patient's son knew the family of another local lung cancer patient I had treated with fair results. On that family's referral, the family decided to seek purely TCM treatment, hoping only to slow disease progression and prolong survival. Their expectations were realistic, and I agreed to treat him with Chinese medicine.
Given the complexity of his underlying conditions, the initial prescription included: Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae), Zhebeimu (Bulbus Fritillariae thunbergii), Muli (Concha Ostreae), Sanleng (Rhizoma Sparganii), Ezhu (Rhizoma Curcumae), Ruxiang (Olibanum), Moyao (Myrrha), Shexiang (Moschus), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), Baiji (Bletilla striata), Xianhecao (Herba Agrimoniae), Chansu (Venenum Bufonis), Malu (Julus), Jinqiaomai (Fagopyrum dibotrys), Yunzhi (Coriolus versicolor), Haizao (Sargassum), Kunbu (Ecklonia), Fuhaishi (Pumex), Huaruishi (Ophicalcitum), Xingren (Semen Armeniacae), Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Xiyangshen (Radix Panacis quinquefolii), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Wuweizi (Schisandra), Pianjianghuang (Curcumae longae), Jiangcan (Bombyx batryticatus), Chantui (Periostracum Cicadae), Zhanglang (Eupolyphaga), Qianglangchong (Catharsius), Dilong (Pheretima), Sheng Huangqi (raw Radix Astragali), Danshen (Salvia), and others. I also recommended Chinese patent medicines such as Compound Banmao Capsules and Pingxiao Tablets, but the patient tolerated them poorly and experienced obvious side effects, so he abandoned them and was treated solely with my custom prescription.
During treatment, on August 24, 2020, the family took him to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University for a CT scan (case no. 0014727978, imaging no. 2106630). The CT showed an irregular soft-tissue density shadow beside the mediastinum in the left upper lobe, approximately 50 x 46 mm, with a CT value of about 40 Hu. A nodular high-density subpleural shadow (im34) was seen in the left upper lobe, about 20.5 mm in diameter. Both lungs showed increased transparency with fine, sparse lung markings and multiple cystic lucencies. The trachea and bronchi were patent, both hila were not enlarged, the mediastinum was centered, and no abnormally enlarged lymph nodes were seen. Imaging impression: suspected carcinoma (Ca) beside the mediastinum of the left upper lobe, with subpleural metastatic tumor in the left lower lobe; chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Given his multiple comorbidities, local doctors still advised against invasive treatment. By then the family had largely given up hope for Western medical treatment and decided to rely entirely on Chinese medicine. The previous formula was continued, prepared as pills for long-term use.
Afterward, the herbal regimen was slightly adjusted every one or two months, but the base formula remained largely unchanged. After taking the medicine, his symptoms improved and he lived a normal life, staying in his rural hometown and doing moderate farm work. Although the tumor in his left upper lobe was large and I had expected him to survive no more than a year, he is still alive and in good condition.
On May 13, 2022, a follow-up CT was performed at Fengzhen City Hospital (imaging no. C14163). Findings: thoracic cage symmetrical, trachea and mediastinum centered, unevenly increased lung transparency, clear bronchovascular bundles with normal course. A lobulated nodular lesion was seen subpleurally in the left upper lobe segment, approximately 1.9 x 1.7 x 2 cm. Trachea and bronchi were clear, both hila were not enlarged. An irregular mass was seen in the mediastinum with a maximum cross-section of about 6.8 x 5 cm, encasing vessels and with unclear mediastinal structures. Heart size was normal, no pericardial effusion, no pleural thickening or pleural effusion. Impression: emphysema; possible subpleural metastasis at the anterior segment of the left upper lobe; mediastinal space-occupying lesion.
Compared with the previous CT, after two years of purely TCM treatment, disease progression was very slow. The treatment goals of slowing tumor progression and prolonging life had been achieved; the family was satisfied and continued maintenance therapy. At follow-up on October 1, 2022, the patient remained in good condition. Despite repeated advice to quit smoking and drinking, he has not been able to give them up.
This patient had a complicated condition with many comorbidities, advanced age, and a long smoking history, making surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy all high-risk. He has chosen conservative TCM treatment for over two years and two months, already exceeding expected survival. To date, he has developed no dangerous complications such as pleural effusion, nor cancer pain or cancer fever. Barring an accident, he is not in immediate danger. I will continue to adjust the regimen for better results and keep him under long-term follow-up.