How does traditional Chinese medicine treat melanoma?

As one of the four great quintessences of Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine is extensive and profound. Western medicine treats symptoms, while Chinese medicine treats the root cause. This is also applicable to tumors. Melanoma is highly malignant, and surgery is the main treatment method. The possibility of recurrence and metastasis after surgery is relatively high. At present, the comprehensive treatment effect is relatively obvious. Chinese medicine treatment of melanoma, such as taking ginsenoside Rh2 at the same time as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can reduce the possibility of recurrence and metastasis. Especially for some elderly patients with melanoma who are too weak to bear other treatments, Chinese medicine treatment is also the main treatment method.

Melanoma treated with traditional Chinese medicine for internal heat and toxicity syndrome:

Main symptoms: rupture of melanoma, combined infection, lymph node metastasis, or systemic dissemination, fever and irritability, body pain and limb aches, dry mouth and tongue, constipation, short urine and red face, red tongue, yellow and greasy tongue coating, thin and stringy or fine and rapid pulse.

Treatment method: Clear away heat and detoxify, strengthen the body and suppress evil.

Prescription: Sijunzi Decoction (Hejijufang) combined with Qingmi Lvli Decoction. Indigo 12g, Coix Seed 30g, Green Heart Bean 30g, Pear Root 30g, Polyporus 15g, Scutellaria 10g, Imperata Root 12g, Scutellaria barbata 20g, Raw Rhubarb 8g, Pseudostellaria pseudoginseng 15g, Atractylodes 12g, Poria 15g, Licorice 4g, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum 15g, Raw Astragalus 15g.

Analysis: Indigo, mung bean, vine pear root, Imperata root, Scutellaria barbata are used to clear away heat and detoxify; coix seed and Poria cocos are used to clear away heat and dampness; raw rhubarb is used to clear heat and relieve constipation; Four Gentlemen plus Gynostemma pentaphyllum and Astragalus membranaceus are used to invigorate qi and strengthen the body; both attack and supplement are used in one prescription. This prescription is suitable for patients with ulcerated malignant melanoma complicated with infection or lymph node metastasis.

Melanoma treated with Chinese medicine for liver and kidney yin deficiency syndrome:

Main symptoms: local ulceration of melanoma, dirty sore surface, foul odor, swelling and pain, or fever and night sweats, or hot sensation in the five parts of the body, dizziness, soreness of waist and knees, dry mouth and throat, thirst without desire to drink, poor appetite and weight loss, dry and hard stools, short and dark urine, red tongue, or purple spots and petechiae, thin white fur, and weak or thready pulse.

Treatment method: Nourish the liver and kidneys, remove toxins and resolve stagnation.

Prescription: Dihuang Baishe Decoction (《Tumor Clinical Preparation》). 20g of Radix Rehmanniae, 10g of Fructus Corni, 30g of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, 10g of Herba Ecliptae, 30g of Polygonatum, 20g of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, 10g of Placenta, 20g of Smilax Glycyrrhizae, 20g of Polyporus, 10g of Gentiana Macrophylla, 20g of Rhizoma Duchesneae, 20g of Solanum nigrum, 10g of Epimedium.

Analysis: The prescription uses Radix Rehmanniae, Fructus Corni, Ligustrum Lucidum, Eclipta Sinensis, Polygonatum Sinensis, Angelica Sinensis, Epimedium and Placenta to nourish the liver and kidney to strengthen the body; and uses Rhizoma Smilax, Polyporus, Gentiana Macrophylla, Radix Bletillae, Duchesnea and Solanum nigrum to remove toxins and resolve knots to attack the evil. This prescription is suitable for patients with postoperative recurrence or extensive metastasis of melanoma who cannot be treated surgically.

Melanoma treated with Chinese medicine for spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome:

Main symptoms: Melanoma ruptures, thin and clear discharge, fatigue, tasteless mouth, poor appetite, preference for warm food, stomach distension after cold food, cold body and limbs, loose stools and clear urine, fat and pale or light purple tongue, tooth marks on the sides of the tongue, greasy white fur, deep, thready and weak pulse

Treatment: Nourish the kidney and spleen, strengthen the body and suppress cancer

Prescription: Added flavors to Sijunzi Decoction (Hejijufang). Codonopsis pilosula 15g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Poria 15g, Licorice root 6g, Astragalus 10g, Epimedium 10g, Cornus officinalis 15g, Morinda officinalis 10g, Safflower 10g, Psoralea corylifolia 10g.

Analysis: This prescription uses Four Gentlemen and Astragalus to strengthen the spleen and replenish Qi to support the acquired foundation, and uses Epimedium, Cornus officinalis, Morinda officinalis, Safflower, and Psoralea corylifolia to warm and replenish kidney yang to save the acquired foundation. This prescription is suitable for patients with advanced malignant melanoma.

Melanoma Chinese medicine treatment of Qi and blood deficiency syndrome:

Prescription: Bazhen Decoction (Zhengti Leiyao) with modifications. Codonopsis pilosula 20g, Atractylodes macrocephala 20g each, Poria 30g, Licorice root 20g, Radix Rehmanniae 20g, Angelica 20g, Paeonia lactiflora 20g, Rhizoma Chuanxiong 10g, Astragalus 30g, Moss peel 30g, Sophora flavescens 10g, Herba Cynanchifoliae 10g, Hedyotis diffusa 30g, Daihesan 20g.

There is still room for exploration in the treatment of melanoma with traditional Chinese medicine. Modern research has found that ginsenoside Rh2, as one of the natural active ingredients of ginseng, has the advantages of low toxicity, small molecular weight, good fat solubility, and strong anti-tumor activity. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on various aspects of it. Ginsenoside Rh2 can inhibit cell proliferation, inhibit tumor metastasis, induce tumor cell apoptosis, reverse tumor cell resistance, induce cell differentiation, and have a direct killing effect on tumor cells, improve the patient's immune function, alleviate the patient's symptoms, and improve the patient's quality of life. Ginsenoside Rh2 can significantly reduce the invasive ability of melanoma cells and has a direct inhibitory effect on melanoma cells.

With the progress of traditional Chinese medicine, more Chinese medicine will be researched and developed, opening up a new way for humans to fight cancer. Chinese medicine will play a greater role in the treatment of melanoma. Correct syndrome differentiation and treatment, scientific formula and rational use of medicine. For patients, paying attention to the combination of Chinese and Western medicine is the best choice.