“Doctor, my mother’s scalp is severely ulcerated. Her pillow is covered in blood, and she cries in pain all night. She won’t survive much longer like this!”
A month ago, 85-year-old Xiao Mozhen was helped into the consultation room by her family in a heart-wrenching condition. A palm-sized area on the top of her head was severely ulcerated, with blood streaming down her forehead. The crusted wounds mixed with pus emitted a pungent odor, and the diagnosis of scalp squamous cell carcinoma recorded in her medical file weighed heavily on the family.
This nightmare began three years ago with an itchy small bump on her scalp. Frequent scratching caused persistent ulceration, and she was eventually diagnosed with a malignant skin tumor that erodes local tissues. Due to her advanced age and declining physical function, her family hesitated over skin graft surgery. Even after an operation, her recovery was poor, and cancer cells continued to spread. Worse still, she could not tolerate the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Western medical treatment could only rely on painkillers and anti‑inflammatory drugs for temporary relief. Over half a year, her condition deteriorated rapidly. The ulcer expanded from the size of a fingernail to a large palm‑shaped wound with continuous bleeding and severe pain upon slight touch. The family visited multiple hospitals, yet all turned her away due to her advanced age and complex condition.
Clutching their last hope, the family brought the elderly patient to Jiaozuo Zhonghai TCM Cancer Hospital in a critical state. The medical team fully understood that aggressive treatment would backfire for frail elderly patients. The core goals were set to control the disease, relieve suffering, and improve quality of life. A gentle, targeted comprehensive treatment plan was then formulated.
The therapy adhered to the principle of
strengthening vital qi while eliminating pathogens and healing ulcers, combining oral and external medication.
Oral Chinese herbal medicines such as astragalus, codonopsis and wolfberry were used to replenish qi and blood, tonify the spleen and kidney, boost physical resistance and enhance immunity. Supplementary ingredients including honeysuckle, forsythia and salvia miltiorrhiza cleared heat, detoxified toxins and promoted blood circulation.
The hospital’s exclusive external preparation
Liukuaisan (Tumor Ulcer Powder) was applied to the affected area to remove necrotic tissue, promote tissue regeneration, clear toxins, dissipate masses, control infection, reduce bleeding and stimulate the growth of granulation tissue.
The curative effect appeared rapidly.
On the third day, oozing blood decreased, swelling and pain were relieved, and the elderly woman could sleep peacefully at night.
Seven days later, bleeding stopped, inflammation subsided, hardened tissue softened, and fresh granulation grew around the wound edges.
After ten days, most of the ulcer crusted over and began to shed, new skin gradually covered the damaged area, and the pain disappeared completely.
“Watching her toss and turn in agony before broke our hearts. We never expected such remarkable recovery here. We finally have new hope,” said her son emotionally. The elderly patient repeatedly expressed her sincere gratitude to the medical staff in her local dialect.
