Rather than labelling “cancer” as a singular disease, TCM sees it as a syndrome of multiple interacting imbalances, a result of chronic disruption to normal Qi-Blood-Fluid movement and deeply influenced by emotions, lifestyle, constitution, and environmental toxins. Thus, treatment is highly individualized, based on type and location of the tumour, root pattern (Ben) and branch symptoms (Biao) and the stage of illness and Western treatment phase.

In TCM Oncology, cancer is seen not as one disease, but as the end result of several overlapping pathological patterns, primarily:

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1. Qi stagnation and Blood stasis → poor circulation, mass formation

2. Phlegm and Damp → nodules, cysts, tumours

3. Heat toxin accumulation → inflammation, ulceration, rapid tumour growth.

4. Essence (Jing) deficiency → lowered immunity and systemic decline

5. Emotional stagnation → Liver Qi constraint disrupting organ function and immunity.

By identifying and treating these patterns holistically, TCM supports cancer care through detoxification, strengthening, emotional regulation, and restoring balance, often in conjunction with biomedical treatment.

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TCM Oncology offers a rich, holistic framework to support cancer patients at all stages by strengthening Zheng Qi and organ function, addressing root imbalances like Qi deficiency, Phlegm, and Blood stasis, clearing Heat toxins and resolving accumulations, relieving symptoms, improving quality of life, and reducing side effects and integrating spiritual and emotional care for the whole person. It is not a substitute for conventional cancer care but is an increasingly respected adjunct therapy, particularly in integrative oncology clinics worldwide.