Yogeshwar Chippa*, Nisha Manikantan
Background
Cancer patients are generally treated with standard-of-care
agents (SOC), such as chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies,
which are known to reduce tumor growth but often lead to
various side effects. In addition to experiencing toxic adverse
events, many patients also develop resistance to the current
line of therapy. In contrast, Ayurveda offers a traditional holistic
framework for understanding and managing diseases like cancer.
An imbalance leads to illness, including conditions such as
Arbuda, which is described in Ayurveda as a malignant tumor and
aligns with certain modern understandings of cancer.
Methods and Findings
In 2017, a case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) of no
special type (NST), Grade 2, of the left breast was presented at
Sri Sri Ayurveda Hospital, with symptoms including fatigue, loss
of appetite, and a history of non-recurrence. The patient was
treated with an integrative Ayurvedic regimen comprising herbal
formulations, dietary modifications, Panchakarma therapies, and
mind-body practices. As a result, the tumor showed no increase
in size, and the patient has remained well without difficulty for the
past seven years.
Conclusion
This case highlights the potential of Ayurvedic intervention as a
complementary modality in managing certain types of breast cancer,
offering symptomatic relief, improved quality of life, and disease
stabilization. These outcomes suggest the opportunity to enhance clinical comfort and lifestyle restoration in cancer patients through
Ayurvedic care, warranting further clinical research.