Abstract:
Cancer pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, characterized by a complex and varied pathogenesis. Current modern medical approaches still lack effective treatments for cancer pain. Grounded in the “State-Target Theory”, a combined diagnostic and therapeutic model that integrates state regulation with targeted intervention in traditional Chinese and Western medicine provides a novel theoretical framework and clinical pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer pain. The State-Target Theory emphasizes the differentiation regulation of the patient’s overall condition while addressing localized pathological factors, such as cancer toxicity, blood stasis, and heat toxicity, to achieve both symptomatic and root-level treatment. This paper systematically elucidates the theoretical connotation of the State-Target Theory, the pathogenesis characteristics of cancer pain, and the treatment approach for cancer pain using the State-Target Theory, including the identification of deficiency and excess states, targeted therapy, and the synergistic application of state regulation and targeted intervention. The State-Target Theory represents a significant innovation in traditional Chinese medicine theory and reflects the concrete integration and development of Chinese and Western medicine in a new era. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine with modern medical practices can better guide the development of combined Chinese and Western medicine approaches. For chronic pain, this approach enables personalized, precise treatment, alleviating patients’ suffering and further improving their quality of life.