Pathogenesis and Treatment Approach of Cancer-Related Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome Based on the Concept of "Blood Exhaustion" in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.05.017
- VernacularTitle:从《黄帝内经》血枯病探讨肿瘤厌食-恶病质综合征的病机及辨治思路
- Author:
Jinbiao ZHU
1
;
Mengyun YUAN
1
;
Lu BAI
1
;
Duorui NIE
1
;
Mianhua WU
2
;
Yingjie YAN
1
;
Dawei DING
1
Author Information
1. Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine，Nanjing，210029
2. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
blood exhaustion;
tumor;
anorexia;
cachexia;
The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(5):575-579
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Based on the concept of "blood exhaustion" from The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）， a three-stage syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy for cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome is proposeed. In the cancer-induced anorexia stage， the pathogenesis is characterized by cancer consuming the spleen and stomach， leading to stagnation of transportation and transformation in the middle jiao （焦）. Treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen， promoting appetite， dispersing accumulation， and aiding digestion， with modified Zisheng Pills （资生丸） in Extensive Notes on Medicine from Xian Xing Studio （《先醒斋医学广笔记》） or Zisheng Decoction （资生汤） in Records of Chinese Medicine with Reference to Western Medicine （《医学衷中参西录》）. In the pre-cachectic stage of malnutrition， the pathogenesis involves insufficient nourishment of blood and qi with essence depletion hindering production. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and harmonizing ying （营）， warming yang and supplementing qi， and modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction （黄芪建中汤） can be used. In the cachectic stage， the pathogenesis involves blood deficiency and essence exhaustion， with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The therapeutic approach should focus on tonifying deficiency and replenishing essence， unblocking collaterals， and removing stasis， and modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction （补中益气汤） and Zuo Gui Beverage （左归饮） are suggested.
