Understanding the symptoms of advanced colorectal cancer from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, colorectal cancer is classified as a "intestinal disorder". Due to improper diet and excessive consumption of fatty, sweet, dry and hot foods, the spleen is not functioning properly, damp heat accumulates and forces the large intestine down, damaging the intestinal network and gradually forming a tumor. In the late stage of colorectal cancer, there are three common types: spleen deficiency and dampness toxin type, blood stasis and toxin accumulation type, and cancer toxin flooding type.

1. Spleen deficiency and dampness toxicity type

Symptoms: In the late stage, patients have sallow complexion, loss of appetite and almost difficulty eating, weight loss, abdominal pain or anal soreness, thick bloody mucus in the stool, increased frequency of bowel movements, thin or flat stools, or tenesmus, pale tongue, thin and greasy tongue coating, and slippery and rapid pulse.

Treatment method: Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, detoxify and fight cancer.

2. Internal accumulation of toxicity

Symptoms: Cancer toxins gradually accumulate in the body. The patient's complexion is dark and rough, with severe abdominal distension and pain. The pain is localized and may radiate downward. A mass can be felt in the abdomen. Severe constipation may be accompanied by intestinal obstruction, diarrhea with purple and black pus and blood, thin or flat stools, purple tongue or petechiae, thin yellow tongue coating, and a stringy or astringent pulse.

Treatment method: Detoxify, remove blood stasis, attack accumulation and relieve pain.

3. Cancer virus flooding type

Symptoms: This is the final manifestation of advanced colorectal cancer. The cancer metastasizes throughout the body. The patient is weak in spirit, even unconscious, pale, extremely emaciated and in a cachectic state, with cold limbs, abdominal distension and pain, or multiple tumors in the abdomen, or soreness and pain in the anus, diarrhea with pus and blood, and the abdominal pain is slightly relieved after diarrhea. The tongue is pale or tender, and the pulse is deep and weak.

Treatment method: Nourish Qi and Yin, inhibit cancer and detoxify.