Monday, September 3, 2007

My grandfather has bile-duct cancer

2 Sep 2007, ST

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) experts answer your queries in this fortnightly column. Remember, you should not self-medicate. Always consult a practitioner.

My grandfather is 70 and has been diagnosed with stage-three bile-duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). Can TCM help him?

Cholangiocarcinomas (bile-duct cancer) are tumours that arise from the bile-duct epithelium, which is the internal tissue of the bile duct. The cause is unknown but they are more likely to occur in people born with abnormalities of the bile duct like choledochal cysts.

Stage-three bile-duct cancer occurs when cancer cells affect the main blood vessels that take blood to and from the liver. It may also occur when these cells spread to the small or large intestines, the stomach or the abdominal wall, or affect lymph nodes in the abdomen.

In TCM, bile-duct cancer is likely due to a deficiency in the functions of the spleen, liver and kidney, a stagnation of qi and blood, 'heat? and 'dampness', as well as insufficient yin of the kidney and liver.

Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion can help improve your grandfather's condition by strengthening his immune and digestive systems so that recovery time is shorter in the event that he needs to undergo surgery. They can also help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy such as fatigue and weight loss.

He should avoid smoking, alcohol and spicy food to reduce 'heat' and 'dampness' in the organs.

Information provided by Ms Lim Lay Beng, a TCM physician at YS Healthcare TCM Clinic in The Adelphi...


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