title: [The phlegm theory of gastric cancer].
abstract: Based on years of ancient literature research and clinical experience, Professor Pin-kang Wei developed the phlegm theory of gastric cancer. In light of the properties of gastric cancer and the method of differentiating syndromes within the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) paradigm, it is believed that gastric cancer is closely related with phlegm. Much ancient literature regarding the relationship between phlegm and gastric cancer was reviewed to explain the rationale and academic inheritance of the phlegm theory. In this theory, gastric cancer is regarded as a form of phlegm stagnation and consists of phlegm core, phlegm collateral and phlegm contamination. In order to explain the mechanism of development, recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer, phlegm contamination is regarded as the most fundamental cause and pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The therapy of resolving phlegm and dispersing nodules is suggested for the fundamental treatment of gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cadet Corps, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Pin-kang
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*