[Exploring the pathogenesis and therapy of liver cancer from "damp-heat insidious pathogen" to "cancer toxin"]

From a macro-level analysis of the attributes and pathogenic features of HBV, the main pathogenic factor for chronic liver diseases including viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, the concept of damp-heat insidious pathogen was obtained, according to which, in-depth discussions were undertaken. Adopting syndrome typing of Wei (defense), qi (vital energy), Ying (nutrients), and blood, the pathogens leading to different syndromes as well as new products such as pathological "sputum", "stasis" in the disease process were understood, and then, the pathological "sputum" and "stasis", as the hub, playing a role in chronic lesions of the liver collateral were explained. Finally the pathological "sputum" and "stasis" blend and form cancer toxin. Through a comprehensive understanding of the development of chronic liver diseases, it is clear that damp-heat insidious pathogen, as its initiating factor, always exists in the whole process. We summed up heat clearing, dampness resolving, and detoxification was the principle for treating chronic liver disease.