肝癌晚期“警報拉響”，中醫視角爲你撥雲見日
在人體這個精妙絕倫的“小宇宙”裏，肝臟就像一位默默耕耘的“勞模”，承擔着解毒、代謝、合成等諸多關鍵任務，還擁有令人驚歎的再生能力，即便被切除三分之二，也能像神話中的鳳凰涅槃般重新生長。然而，肝癌這位“不速之客”卻常常悄無聲息地打破這份和諧，尤其是到了晚期，更是讓患者苦不堪言。今天，咱們就從中醫的角度，揭開肝癌晚期那些令人揪心的表現背後的祕密。
肝癌晚期五大“警報信號”
疼痛：身體的“紅色警報”
疼痛，堪稱肝癌晚期病人的“主要噩夢”。許多患者會遭受劇烈腹痛或肝區疼痛的折磨，那種感覺就像有無數根針在肝臟裏瘋狂攪動。中醫認爲，“不通則痛”，肝癌晚期，肝臟氣血運行嚴重受阻，經絡不通，疼痛便如影隨形。這可不是一般的疼，它時刻提醒着患者，身體內部已經“戰火紛飛”。據統計，超過七成的肝癌晚期患者都會被疼痛困擾，這疼痛就像惡魔的爪子，緊緊揪住患者的心。
腹脹：“腹大如鼓”的無奈
晚期肝癌患者常常會出現腹脹，嚴重者肚子大得像鼓一樣。這是爲什麼呢？原來是肝臟功能嚴重受損，體內產生了大量腹腔積液，形成了腹水。中醫講，“脾主運化”，肝臟與脾胃關係密切，肝癌影響脾胃功能，水液代謝失常，水溼停聚在腹部，就導致了腹脹如鼓。想象一下，肚子裏裝着上萬毫升的液體，那該有多難受啊！這腹水就像一個無形的枷鎖，讓患者行動不便，生活質量大打折扣。
出血：生命在“滴答”中流逝
肝癌末期，消化道出血成了常見的併發症，患者還可能出現黑便。中醫認爲，“肝藏血”，肝癌晚期，肝臟功能衰竭，藏血功能失調，再加上脾胃虛弱，氣血生化不足，導致氣血虧虛，血管失去滋養，就容易破裂出血。每一次出血，都像是生命在“滴答”中悄然流逝，讓人揪心不已。據不完全統計，肝癌晚期消化道出血的發生率高達 30% - 50%，這可是一個相當驚人的數字。
黃疸：全身“染黃”的警示
當肝癌發展到晚期，患者可能會出現全身發黃的表現，這就是黃疸。中醫認爲，黃疸的產生與肝膽脾胃的功能失調密切相關。肝臟疏泄失常，膽汁外溢，浸漬肌膚，就會出現黃疸。就像給身體披上了一層黃色的“外衣”，這可不是什麼時尚裝扮，而是身體發出的嚴重警示信號，提示肝臟已經病入膏肓。
下肢水腫：從腳踝開始的“蔓延危機”
肝癌伴腹水的患者常常會出現下肢水腫，輕者從踝部開始，嚴重者會蔓延至整個下肢。中醫認爲，“水溼下注”是導致下肢水腫的主要原因。肝臟功能受損，水液代謝失常，水溼不能正常排出體外，就會向下積聚在下肢，形成水腫。這水腫就像洪水一樣，從腳踝開始，逐漸“吞噬”整個下肢，讓患者行動更加困難。
肝癌的“雙面性格”：進展速度大不同
肝臟雖然強大，但肝癌卻是個“狠角色”。從臨牀上看，肝癌進展速度很快，晚期患者衆多。不過，肝癌可不是“千篇一律”的，它就像一個神祕的家族，有不同的“成員”。肝癌可以分爲肝細胞癌和膽管細胞癌，其中膽管細胞癌就像家族中的“叛逆者”，惡化程度更高，預後也更差。這就好比同樣是感冒，有的幾天就好，有的卻可能引發嚴重併發症，讓人防不勝防。
中醫智慧：扶正祛邪，守護肝臟健康
面對肝癌這個“大魔王”，中醫有着獨特的應對策略。中醫強調“扶正祛邪”，就像一場激烈的戰爭，既要增強自身的抵抗力（扶正），又要打擊敵人（祛邪）。通過中藥調理、鍼灸、推拿等方法，調節人體的氣血陰陽平衡，增強脾胃功能，提高機體的免疫力，讓身體有足夠的力量與肝癌抗爭。同時，中醫還注重整體觀念，認爲人體是一個有機的整體，肝臟的病變會影響其他臟腑，其他臟腑的問題也會反過來影響肝臟。因此，在治療肝癌時，會綜合考慮全身的情況，進行全面調理。
肝癌晚期雖然兇險，但並非毫無希望。瞭解這些表現和知識，就像給我們的健康加上了一道“防護鎖”。讓我們藉助中醫的智慧，守護好自己的肝臟，讓這位“勞模”繼續爲我們的身體健康保駕護航。記住，健康是人生最大的財富，可別讓肝癌這個“小偷”把它偷走哦！
作者簡介：梁世傑 原首都醫科大學中醫門診部中醫主治醫師，京畿瘤科創始人，本科學歷，從事中醫臨牀工作25年，積累了較豐富的臨牀經驗。師從首都醫科大學附屬北京中醫院肝病科主任醫師、著名老中醫陳勇，侍診多載，深得器重，盡得真傳！擅用“商湯經方分類療法”、專病專方結合“焦樹德學術思想”“關幼波十綱辨證”學術思想治療疑難雜症爲特色。現任北京樹德堂中醫研究院研究員，北京中醫藥薪火傳承新3+3工程—焦樹德門人（陳勇）傳承工作站研究員，國際易聯易學與養生專委會常務理事，中國中醫藥研究促進會焦樹德學術傳承專業委員會委員，中國藥文化研究會中醫藥慢病防治分會首批癌症領域入庫專家。榮獲2020年中國中醫藥研究促進會仲景醫學分會舉辦的第八屆醫聖仲景南陽論壇“經方名醫”榮譽稱號。2023年首屆京津冀“扁鵲杯”燕趙醫學研究主題徵文優秀獎獲得者。事蹟入選《當代科學家》雜誌、《中華英才》雜誌。
The "alarm" of terminal liver cancer is ringing, and the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine offers a glimpse into the future
In this wonderful "little universe" of the human body, The liver is like a silent laborer, responsible for many key tasks such as detoxification, metabolism, and synthesis, and has an amazing regenerative capacity that even if removed by two-thirds, it can regenerate like the phoenix in mythology. However, the "uninvited guest" of liver cancer often quietly breaks this harmony, especially in the late stage, which makes the patient miserable. Today, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, let us uncover the secrets behind the heart-wrenching manifestations of advanced liver cancer.
Five "warning signs" of advanced liver cancer
Pain: the body''s "red alert"
Pain is the "main nightmare" of terminal liver cancer patients. Many sufferers suffer from severe abdominal pain or pain in the liver area, which feels like there are a few needles roiling the liver. According to traditional Chinese medicine, "if you do not understand, you will suffer." In the late stage of liver cancer, the liver''s air and blood flow is severely blocked, the meridians are not connected, and the pain follows. This is not ordinary pain, it constantly reminds the patient that there is "fighting" inside the body. According to statistics, more than 70% of patients with advanced liver cancer are plagued by pain, which is like the claws of the devil, holding the patient''s heart tightly.
Bloating: The helplessness of a "big belly"
People with advanced liver cancer often experience bloating, and in severe cases the stomach is as big as a drum. And why is that? It turned out that the liver function was severely impaired, and a large amount of abdominal fluid was created in the body, forming abdominal water. According to traditional Chinese medicine, "the spleen is the master of the function." The liver is closely related to the spleen and stomach. Liver cancer affects the spleen-stomach function. Water and fluid metabolism is abnormal, and water and wet stay in the abdomen, which causes bloating like a drum. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have tens of thousands of milliliters of fluid in your stomach! This abscess water is like an invisible chain, which makes the patient''s mobility difficult and greatly reduces the quality of life.
Bleeding: Life passes in a "tick"
In the terminal stage of liver cancer, bleeding in the digestive tract is a common complication, and patients may also have dark stools. According to traditional Chinese medicine, "the liver contains blood," liver cancer in the advanced stage, liver function failure, and blood storage function is dysregulated, together with weakness of the spleen and stomach, and insufficient biochemistry of qi and blood, leading to qi and blood deficiency, and blood vessels that are not nourished, are easily ruptured and bleed. Every bleeding is like life passing away in a "tick" and it is heartbreaking. According to incomplete statistics, the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in the advanced stage of liver cancer is as high as 30% - 50%, which is a rather alarming number.
Jaundice: A warning sign of "yellowing" throughout the body
When liver cancer reaches advanced stages, the patient may experience a yellowing of the whole body, which is known as jaundice. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the production of jaundice is closely related to the dysfunction of the liver, bile, spleen and stomach. Jaundice occurs when the liver becomes unbalanced and bile overflows and soaks the skin. It is like putting a yellow "jacket" on the body. This is not a fashion display, but a serious warning sign that the liver is terminally ill.
Lower limb edema: a "spreading crisis" that starts with the ankle
People with liver cancer with abdominal water often develop lower limb edema, which starts in the ankle in mild cases and spreads throughout the lower limb in severe cases. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "water and wet injection" is the main cause of lower limb edema. When the liver function is impaired, water and fluid metabolism is abnormal, and water and wet cannot be properly expelled from the body, it will accumulate down in the lower limbs, forming edema. The swelling is like a flood, starting in the ankle and gradually "swallowing" the entire lower limb, making it more difficult for the patient to move.
The "double personality" of liver cancer: the rate of progression differs greatly
Although the liver is powerful, liver cancer is a "brutal player." From a clinical point of view, liver cancer progresses rapidly and there are many advanced patients. However, liver cancer is not a "one size fits all" - it is like a mysterious family with different "members." Liver cancer can be divided into hepatocellular carcinoma and bile duct cell carcinoma, where bile duct carcinoma is like the "rebel" in the family, with a higher degree of deterioration and a worse prognosis. It is like the same cold, some of which are fine for a few days, but some of these can cause serious complications that can be overwhelming.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Wisdom: Correcting and Removing Evil, Protecting Liver Health
In the face of liver cancer, the "great devil," traditional Chinese medicine has a unique coping strategy. Chinese medicine emphasizes "rectification and removal of evil," like a fierce war in which one must both strengthen one''s resistance (rectification) and fight the enemy (removal of wickedness). Through traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, acupuncture, and massage, the body''s yin and yang balance is regulated, the spleen and stomach function is enhanced, the immune force of the body is improved, and the body has enough strength to fight liver cancer. At the same time, TCM also focuses on the holistic concept, believing that the human body is an organic whole, that defects in the liver will affect other organs, and that problems in other organs will also affect the liver in turn. Therefore, when treating liver cancer, the situation of the whole body is taken into consideration and comprehensive treatment is carried out.
Although advanced liver cancer is dangerous, it is not hopeless. Understanding these behaviors and knowledge is like putting a "protective lock" on our health. Let us use the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine to protect our own liver, and let this "model laborer" continue to protect our physical health. Remember that health is the greatest asset of life, and don''t let the "tief" of liver cancer steal it!
Author profile: Liang Shi-jie was a chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Outpatient Clinic of Capital Medical University. He was the founder of Jingyi Tumor Clinic. He holds a bachelor’s degree and has been engaged in clinical work in traditional Chinese medicine for 25 years, accumulating extensive clinical experience. He studied under Chen Yong, a renowned senior traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at the Hepatology Department of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University. Over the years, he gained great respect and acquired genuine expertise. He specializes in using the “Shang Tang Classic Classification Therapy” and combining specific treatments for specific diseases with the “Jiao Shu-de Academic Thought” and the “Guan You-bo Ten-Principle Diagnosis” approach to treat complex medical conditions. He is currently a researcher at the Beijing Shu-de-Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute and a researcher at the Beijing New 3+3 Project for the Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Jiao Shu-de’s Disciples (Chen Yong) Heritage Workstation. He is a Standing director of the International Yi-lian Yi-xue and Health Preservation Committee and a member of the Committee for the Inheritance of Jiao Shu-de’s Academic Thought of the China Research Promotion Association for Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is also a member of the inaugural Cancer Expert Pool of the China Cultural Research Association for Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Prevention of Chronic Diseases. He was awarded the title of “Expert in Classic Prescriptions” at the Eighth Nanyang Forum of the Zhang Zhongjing Medical Division of the China Research Promotion Association in 2020. In 2023, he won the Excellence Award in the First Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei “Bian Que Cup” Yan-Zhao Medical Research Theme Essay Competition. His achievements have been featured in the magazines “Contemporary Scientists” and “China’s Elite”.
