Effectiveness of Rasayana therapy in CA Lung (Squamous cell carcinoma)

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is a major problem in both developed and developing countries in the world. Lung cancer is one of the common differential diagnosis for weight loss, lung mass, pleural effusion with lymph adenopathy in a male smoker in our country . This general histological classification reflects the clinical and biological behavior of these distinct tumor types. The diagnosis requires high index of suspicion as it can be easily confused with tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis. Tobacco (Smoking/chewing) is the single most important risk factor for all types of lung cancers. The standard management of lung cancer with good performance status is Radiotherapy and palliative chemotherapy. Because of side effects and complications of Radiotherapy and chemotherapy [4], alternative therapy including Ayurveda is good option to manage cancer. Here we would like to discuss Ayurveda treatment for lung cancer and present an unusual case of Lung cancer which is successfully treated by Ayurveda Rasayana therapy

CASE REPORT

A 89 years old male patient from Hyderabad, chronic tobacco chewer, presented with history of Adeno carcinoma and opacities in upper zone of left lung and diagnosed with CA Lungs.(Sqamouscell carcinoma). There were no symptoms of breathing difficulty, hemoptysis, bony pains, or lumps noticed anywhere in body. Brain, abdomen and bones are normal. Evaluation included a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of thorax. Our patient presented to us with a CT scan showing a left upper lobe mass lesion 4.6 * 3.6. His vitals were normal, physical examination was unremarkable, and TNM Staging was T2 N2 M0. X-Ray chest showed opacities in left upper zone. FNAC showed poorly differentiated Adeno carcinoma. PET CT showed intense FDG Uptake (SUV max 25) noted in left lung and in mediastinal nodes. Patient received Radiotherapy(RT) for 2 months. Post RT there was a significant reduction in lesion. PET Scan showed lesion measuring 2.9 x 2.8 x 3.0. PET CT showed further significant reduction in left upper lobe and mediastinal nodes. Persistent uptake was seen in primary and mediastinal nodes. Hence further he was adviced to take Chemotherapy . Patient took only one cycle of Chemotherapy but he could not tolerate the CT. Patient refused to take further CT because of severe adverse reactions.

The Patient approached us for Ayurved Treatment. After detailed history and physical examination, laboratory investigations, we started AMURT (An exclusive Ayurved Treatment/formulation). The patient was counseled in detail regarding the treatment of Ayurveda.Patient was treated with herbo mineral ayurveda formulations (Table 1). After taking Ayurved treatment X-Ray chest showed homogenous opacity in left lower zone. HRCT - No tumor was seen in this study, Bilateralplureal effusion and ill defined fibrosis seen. There was significant symptomatic relief after Ayurved treatment. Treatment was continued as same. Further X-Ray showed only chronic kochs lesion with fibrosis in both lungs with pleural thickening. Recent X-Ray showed bilateral pleural thickening with chronic Kochs. The patient is now alive and free of disease and Patient’s present age is 92 years. He is healthy and leading a good QOL. After 4 years of diagnosis the patient is still taking Ayurveda Rasayana treatment.

Table -1.Medcines prescribed to the patient

Discussion

CA Lungs is a very dreadful disease. Still there is no much satisfactory answer for it when diagnosed very late, hence multiple therapeutic approach is necessary to eradicate the disease. Chest and abdomen CT and PET scans are routinely performed in patients with suspected metastatic lung cancer. Integrated CT/PET has better sensitivity and specificity than CT or PET alone. PET/CT has good sensitivity and specificity in identifying distant metastases. Assessment of pathological response to treatment has played an important role. Those patients who achieve complete pathological response have long-term survival advantage. The common histological features of tumor regression are coagulative necrosis, fibrosis, foam cell/giant cell reaction, as well as mixed inflammatory infiltrate. The amounts of fibrosis correlate well with extent of tumor regression, which in turn is a surrogate marker of tumor response. Squamous carcinoma was associated with a higher probability of treatment response than other carcinoma.Our patient was treated as CA Lungs.(Sqamous cell carcinoma) with curative intent as a deviation from established guidelines. In the absence of other distant metastases, he was given Ayurveda Rasayana thereapy. Complete pathological remission and tumor regression was achieved which has been rarely reported in literature. No major side effects were noticed in treatment duration, liver and kidney function tests were kept normal. An Ayurvedic approach like the one given here can be of some help to the cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

Complete tumor regression was achieved in present case only by Ayurveda therapies. Our case report illustrates the potential role of curative intent medicine ‘AMURT’ in lung cancer. So Increased survival of Patient is also highlighted by the current case study. The present study indicates that Rasayana therapy is effective in the treatment of Lung Cancer and did not produce any toxic side effects. However, proper clinical trials with large samples are needed to substantiate the observations so that beneficial alternative therapies can be integrated with conventional care.

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