RESUMO
Objective To analyze the TCM principles of herbal prescriptions given by professor Zhang Shishun for esophageal cancer by using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (V2.0). Methods The herbal prescriptions from professor Zhang were collected and used for esophageal cancer, and then were recorded into the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system. The date mining methods were used such as principle analysis and revised mutual information. Results A total of 166 prescriptions for esophageal cancer were collected, which involved 316 Chinese medicines. The medicines with high frequency were Ganoderma, Caulis Marsdeniae Tenacissimae, Fructus Trichosanthis, Herba Rabdosiae Rubescentis, and Agaricus Blazei Murrill. The combinations of medicines included Ganoderma and Ramulus Juglandis, Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis and Caulis Marsdeniae Tenacissimae, and Herba Rabdosiae Rubescentis and Caulis Marsdeniae Tenacissimae. The prescription rules of drug combination mode were obtained. Conclusions The Professor Zhang advocated the theory of determination of treatment based on pathogenesis through differentiation of symptoms and signs, patho-examination, patho-location. He also stressed on the therapy of relieving both primary and secondary symptoms. The Ganoderma, Ramulus Juglandis and Agaricus Blazei Murril were used to strengthen the body resistance. Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis, Caulis Marsdeniae Tenacissimae and Herba Rabdosiae Rubescentis were used to eliminate pathogenesis. The Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli, Fructus Crataegi Praeparata, Massa Medicata Fermentata Praeparata were used to protect stomach-qi. The Fructus Trichosanthis, Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis and Folium Ginkgo wereused to dilate the esophagus. The Fructus Trichosanthis was often combined with Radix Scutellariae to serve all medicines on the esophagus.