Multimodal Ayurvedic intervention provided 15 years of progression free survival to a female patient with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of tongue - A case report

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer, accounting for 90%–95% of all cancers in the mouth. It is typically noted in individuals over the age of 40, especially men between 60 and 80. However, there has been a recent increase in oral cancer cases among women and younger individuals. We present a case of a 49-year-old female diagnosed with Stage III, moderately differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in August 2005. The patient underwent radiation therapy (35 fractions/70 Gy) and received adjunct chemotherapy (6 cycles of Inj. Cisplatin – LD on October 21, 2005). Despite these treatments, residual induration on the tongue persisted, leading to a Knife biopsy in April 2007 that confirmed the presence of squamous carcinoma infiltrating the lingual muscles. Further, she underwent Wide Excision Glossectomy with Left Supra-Omohyoid Neck Dissection in May 2007 and Total Glossectomy with Hemi mandibulectomy with Left Supra-Omohyoid Neck Dissection in August 2011. In addition to conventional cancer treatments, the patient opted for Ayurvedic treatment at our center, which included a combination of oral Herbo-mineral metallic medicines and detoxifying Panchakarma procedures. The 12-year progression-free survival achieved in this case highlights the potential benefits of combining conventional cancer treatment with personalized adjunct Ayurvedic therapy.