2) Another problem for cancer patients are the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in particular, depression of bone marrow which leads to low white blood cell counts. When the white blood cell count is dangerously low, treatment is delayed until the counts reach an acceptable range. Bone marrow depression also cause dizziness, weakness, insomnia, and ulcers in the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. These ulcers make it difficult for the patient to chew and swallow food. In TCM these symptoms are caused by splenic and kidney deficiencies. To deal with the symptoms of bone marrow depression, I used Milkvetch root, Ginseng, White atractylodes rhizoma, Wolfberry fruit, Schisandra fruit, Desert-living cistanche, and Licorice root. If the patient has ulcers in the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue (a type of deficiency of yin), I used dried Rehmannia root, Figwort root, Ophiopogon root, Rhizome Smilacis Glabrae, tree peony bark and Honeysuckle flower.

3) Finally, the terminal cancer patients must face excruciating pain in the final stages of the disease. For most of my patients, reliance on pain medications is reduced following acupuncture treatments. The acupuncture treatments also afford significant reductions in nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, and loss of appetite. In addition, the hematopoetic and immunologic systems are strengthened through acupuncture treatments.

In conclusion, in TCM there are many principles used in the treatment of cancer such as clearing away heat and toxic materials, support of healthy energy and strengthening of the body's resistance, promoting blood circulation by removing blood stasis, softening the hard lumps and dispelling the nodes, treating the malignant disease with poisonous agents, and so on. Choosing the appropriate method of treatment depends on the patient's paticular condition.