Staged Differentiation and Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Based on the Theory of "Diffusing Therapy Can Eliminate Congestion"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.21.013
- VernacularTitle:基于“宣可去壅”探讨乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿的分期辨治
- Author:
Jie ZHANG
1
;
Yuansha GE
1
;
Zilin WANG
1
;
Jie LI
1
Author Information
1. Guang'anmen Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing，100053
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
breast cancer-related lymphedema;
diffusing therapy can eliminate congestion;
diffusing and unblocking to promote flow and transformation
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(21):2334-2338
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Grounded in the theory that "diffusing therapy can eliminate congestion"， this paper proposes that "congestion" runs through the entire course of breast cancer-related lymphedema （BCRL）. In treatment， the causes of congestion should be clearly differentiated， with diffusing and unblocking to promote flow and transformation as the therapeutic principle， so as to eliminate the congested state at different stages. In the early stage， stagnation of qi and dampness obstructs the vessels and collaterals， for which treatment is aimed at diffusing qi， promoting urination to drain dampness， soothing the liver and unblocking the collaterals， with modified Chaihu Shugan Powder （柴胡疏肝散） combined with Shengxian Decoction （升陷汤）. In the progressive stage， exuberant phlegm and stasis cause water to flood the three jiao （焦）， and the treatment is aimed at dispersing and freeing three jiao， resolving stasis and promoting diuresis， with modified Wuling Powder （五苓散） combined with Danggui Shaoyao Powder （当归芍药散）. In the advanced stage， turbid toxin congeals and obstructs， with blood and water bound together； treatment is aimed at diffusing and outthrusting turbid toxin， breaking stasis and expelling water， with modified Simiao Yongan Decoction （四妙勇安汤） combined with Shengjiang Powder （升降散）. Throughout the disease course， the principles of diffusing and unblocking to promote flow and transformation should be followed， with dynamic differentiation and treatment according to the three stages， in order to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical management of BCRL.
