Management of chemotherapy adversity through Ayurveda: An experience

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Chemotherapy is the largely accepted treatment protocol for cancer, but it comes with an increased risk of infections and side effects. Ayurveda can be a promising adjunct therapy to minimize the adverse effects of chemoradiotherapy. A 65-year-old female who was a known case of double-vessel block suddenly developed severe abdominal pain and was treated symptomatically by a general physician. Her weight loss was consistent with multiple episodes of abdominal pain for a year after which she was diagnosed to have moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the cecum. The patient was managed with exploratory laparotomy (with right hemicolectomy with ileal transverse colon end-to-end anastomosis). The histopathology study reported it as a Modified Astler–Coller stage C2. Consequently, six cycles of Folfox (chemotherapy) were advised by the oncologist. Before starting the chemotherapy, Ayurveda treatment was started to combat the expected side effects of chemotherapy. The treatment protocol included Dhanyaka phanta, Suvarnamalini vasanta, Madiphala rasayana, and Guduchyadi ksheerapaka. The patient had no additional complaints during the chemotherapy and all the hematological parameters were within normal limits. The patient reported weight gain after completion of the chemotherapy. Expected side effects (hair loss, mouth sores, anorexia, diarrhea, and vomiting) were not reported during the treatment. Known side effects of chemotherapy like infection, easy bruising, bleeding, or fatigue were also not reported; therefore, the present study concludes that the side effects of chemotherapy may be controlled by Ayurveda adjunct therapy.