Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution characteristics of TCM syndromes and the related herbal prescriptions for malignant tumors (MT). METHODS: A clinical database of the TCM syndromes and the herbal prescriptions in treatment of 136 MT patients were established. The data were then analyzed using cluster and frequency analysis. RESULTS: According to the cluster analysis, the TCM syndromes in MT patients mainly included two patterns: deficiency of both Qi and Yin and internal accumulation of toxic heat. The commonly-prescribed herbs were Huangqi (Astraglus), Nüzhen-zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi), Lingzhi (Ganoderma Lucidum), Huaishan (Dioscorea Opposita), Xiakucao (Prunella Vulgaris), and Baihuasheshecao (Herba Hedyotidis). CONCLUSION: Deficiency of Qi and Yin is the primary syndrome of MT, and internal accumulation of toxic heat is the secondary syndrome. The herbs for Qi supplementation and Yin nourishment are mainly used, with the assistance of herbs for heat-clearance and detoxification.

Key words: Carcinoma, Syndromes, Benefiting Qi for nourishing Yin, Complementary therapies, Cluster analysis, Data mining