Academic Connotation and Practical Applications of Theory of Cancer Collaterals
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250729
- VernacularTitle:癌络学说的学术内涵及应用
- Author:
Guanghui ZHANG
1
;
Baojin HUA
1
Author Information
1. Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100053， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Yin-Yang Qi transformation of tumors;
theory of cancer collaterals;
Yin in substance and Yang in function;
regulating Qi and dredging collaterals;
academic connotation;
clinical applications
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(10):245-255
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The modernization of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the field of oncology has led to the formation of a diversified theoretical system for tumor treatment. However， this system faces challenges such as significant differences between theoretical understanding and clinical treatment and lack of unified consensus and standardized protocols. The pathogenesis and treatment of collateral diseases， when summarized by the philosophy of Yin and Yang Qi transformation， offer a valuable academic perspective in the tumor theory by simplifying complexity and integrating knowledge. Building on the foundation of the collateral theory and modern research， our team has innovatively proposed the theory of cancer collaterals. From the Yin and Yang Qi transformation of collaterals， this theory emphasizes that the core pathogenesis of cancer collaterals is the dysfunction of Qi transformation in collaterals. Cancer collaterals are characterized by a Yin substance with a Yang function， representing the pathogenic Qi combining Yin and Yang. This theory outlines seven pathological characteristics （concealment， aggressive onset， toxin coagulation， obstruction and stasis， deficiency and damage， variable dispersion， and differences in Zang-organ collaterals） of cancer collaterals， five unique pathogeneses （latent toxin， stasis obstruction， damage， abnormal proliferation， and toxin dispersion in cancer collaterals） of cancer collaterals， and the full-cycle pathogenesis evolution through four stages （early， middle， late， and post-treatment stages） of tumors. In clinical practice， it is essential to differentiate the Yin and Yang Qi transformation states of body collaterals and cancer collaterals to restore the normal Qi transformation of collaterals and regulate the disordered Qi transformation of cancer collaterals. Therefore， the treatment method of regulating Qi and dredging collaterals in the theory of cancer collaterals is proposed. Regulating Qi involves adjusting the yang of cancer collaterals to promote Qi transformation， while dredging collaterals involves resolving the Yin of cancer collaterals to transform the formed cancer toxin. Finally， the practical value of the theory of cancer collaterals is discussed in terms of guiding clinical differentiation and treatment， promoting scientific research， and breaking down theoretical barriers. The aim is to perfect the theoretical system of malignant tumor differentiation and treatment.
