Exploration on Meningioma Based on the Theory of “Yang Transforming Qi and Yin Constituting Form”

Abstract

Meningioma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system, accounting for approximately 30% of all primary intracranial tumors. It is more prevalent in middle-aged and elderly women, typically occurring between 40 and 60 years of age [1]. Although most meningiomas are benign, their unique growth locations often cause clinical manifestations such as headache, epilepsy, nausea, vomiting, and papilledema; in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening. The primary treatment modalities in modern medicine include regular imaging follow-up and surgical resection. However, surgery may leave behind serious complications such as aphasia, hemiplegia, and coma, contributing to a high disability rate [2]. Furthermore, ideal pharmacological interventions remain lacking for tumors that are difficult to resect surgically or are recurrent. Therefore, exploring safe and effective treatment strategies holds significant clinical importance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), meningioma is categorized under “headache,” “vertigo,” “vomiting,” and “seizure disorders” [3]. It is believed that the disease site is the brain, closely related to the heart, spleen, and kidney. The core pathogenesis lies in deficiency of the primordial yang, allowing cold-dampness yin pathogens to invade the yin position. Based on the principle of “yang transforms qi, yin constitutes form” from the Suwen: Great Treatise on the Interaction of Yin and Yang, yang qi deficiency leads to impaired qi transformation, causing yin-cold pathogens to condense and accumulate into form over time, gradually forming a tumor. Therefore, warming and supplementing the primordial yang, supporting yang, and dissipating masses should be the fundamental treatment principle for this disease. This paper aims to systematically review the Western medical pathological mechanisms and TCM etiology and pathogenesis of meningioma, deeply explore the intrinsic connection between the “yang transforming qi and yin constituting form” theory and the formation of meningioma, and analyze the theoretical basis and clinical applicability of the method of supporting yang and dissipating masses (such as using Yanghe Decoction, Yougui Pill, and Gong’ai Duoming Decoction) in treating this disease, in order to provide new ideas and theoretical support for the TCM treatment of meningioma.