An Ayurvedic intervention for pseudomyxoma peritonei - A case report

Abstract

Cancer is the deadliest disease in the world and cancer treatment remains as a challenge among all systems of medicine. Pseudomyxoma peritonei is one of the rarest malignancies, devoid of any promising management strategies. Ayurvedic perspective of diagnosis and reports on treatment strategies for such malignant conditions are highly limited. In this study, a male patient with pseudomyxoma peritonei, presented with breathlessness, abdominal distension, inguinal hernia and swelling of both legs with oozing. CT and biopsy reports diagnosed the disease as Pseudomyxoma Peritonei. He was provided with ayurvedic treatment for improving Quality of Life. Paniya kshara and Bhallathaka vati were the principal contents of the medication given. Other medications are Punarnavadi kashaya, chirivilwadi kashaya, Tab Neem, Tab Haridra, Cap Rasasindoor and Cap Poornachandrodaya rasa. After 90 days of treatment, patient got relief from breathlessness, leg swelling and oozing. The abdominal circumference also reduced remarkably from 108cm to 78cm, and the Quality of Life also improved. The treatment principle adopted was based on the concepts of udara, arbuda and sopha. Cautious combination of concepts from Ayurveda can provide effective treatment strategies to treat rare diseases.