[A review on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in ancient Chinese literature]

Based on the clinical characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a receptive standard was set up to screen related information with NPC from ancient literature of traditional Chinese medicine, while a rejection standard was also set up to prevent associated data in these literature with diseases such as lymphatic tuberculosis and lymphoma in the neck etc. Furthermore, a review was made on the etiology, pathogenesis and procedures used in the prevention and treatment of NPC recorded in ancient literature, according to the evaluation as above. The data showed that several hypotheses were present in ancient literature about etiology and pathogenesis of NPC, including healthy qi deficiency, cold in channels, or liver qi stagnation, pyrogenous toxin, phlegm coagulation and blood stasis etc. Therefore, prevention was emphasized and the main therapeutic and preventive methods for NPC were regulating emotions, nourishing qi and harmonizing ying (nutrient).