E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Cancer

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 10 OCTOBER
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Ayurvedic perspective on Cancer: Conceptualization and Treatment

Muzzammel S M1*, Bhumika S2, Dhivyashri S3
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.10.14

1* Mohamed Muzzammel S, Medical Officer, Centre for Integrative Oncology, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India.

2 Bhumika S, Assistant Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Shri CB Guttal Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India.

3 Dhivyashri S, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Agada Tantra, KAHER’s Shri BMK Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.

Cancer, a multifactorial disease, continues to challenge modern medicine despite decades of research. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, presents a holistic approach to understanding and managing cancer by viewing it as a disorder of the Doshas (bodily humors), Dhatus (tissues), and Srotas (channels). This review explores how cancer can be interpreted through two key pathological states in Ayurveda, Dhatu Kshaya (tissue depletion) and Ojo Kshaya (vitality depletion), which lead to imbalances in the body’s homeostasis. By correlating cancer with conditions such as Srotoavarodha (blockage of channels) and Agnimandhya (suppressed digestive fire), this paper sheds light on Ayurvedic perspectives on carcinogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic approaches like Virechana (purgation therapy). The review also discusses modern cancer pathophysiology and its correlation with Ayurveda, highlighting how integrative therapies can be used for effective cancer management.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Cancer, Pathophysiology, Doshas, Dhatu Kshaya, Ojo Kshaya, Virechana, Integrative Oncology, Rasavaha Srotas, Metastasis

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Mohamed Muzzammel S, Medical Officer, Centre for Integrative Oncology, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, , India.
Email: 		Muzzammel S M, Bhumika S, Dhivyashri S, Ayurvedic perspective on Cancer: Conceptualization and Treatment. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(10):95-98.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3690

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-09-01 2024-09-09 2024-09-17 2024-09-25 2024-10-01
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 13.39

© 2024by Muzzammel S M, Bhumika S, Dhivyashri Sand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Mohamed MS et al. Ayurvedic perspective on Cancer: Conceptualization and Treatment

Introduction

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in modern oncology, the complexity of cancer etiology and treatment remains unresolved. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer annually. In India alone, cancer affects over 11 lakh people each year, contributing to approximately 3.5 lakh deaths annually. The modern medical system classifies cancer into various types, such as carcinomas, sarcomas, melanomas, lymphomas, and leukemias, depending on the tissue of origin. However, even with this extensive classification and targeted therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, challenges such as resistance to treatment and recurrence persist.

Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, offers a different framework for understanding cancer. This review correlates cancer with specific Ayurvedic concepts, exploring the disease's manifestation as a result of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala imbalances. Furthermore, modern pathophysiology of cancer is reviewed, and its correlation with Ayurveda is discussed to highlight integrative therapeutic potential.

Modern Pathophysiology of Cancer

Cancer is fundamentally a disease of uncontrolled cell growth, driven by genetic mutations that affect key regulatory mechanisms in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. The pathogenesis of cancer involves several critical steps, collectively known as the “hallmarks of cancer”:

1. Sustaining proliferative signaling:Cancer cells can continuously signal growth, bypassing the regulatory signals that control normal cell division.
2. Evading growth suppressors:Tumor cells inactivate mechanisms such as tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP53), which normally inhibit growth.
3. Resisting cell death:Apoptosis, the programmed death of cells, is often suppressed in cancer, allowing damaged cells to survive longer than they should.
4. Enabling replicative immortality: Cancer cells activate enzymes like telomerase,

which prevent the shortening of telomeres, granting them the ability to divide indefinitely.
5. Inducing angiogenesis:Tumors stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to sustain their growing mass with nutrients and oxygen.
6. Activating invasion and metastasis:Cancerous cells invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant organs, which marks advanced stages of cancer.

Additional factors include the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in causing DNA damage, the tumor microenvironment’s influence on immune evasion, and the metabolic reprogramming seen in cancer cells, often termed the "Warburg effect."

Ayurvedic concept of Cancer

Cancer as Dhatu Kshaya and Ojo Kshaya

In Ayurveda, cancer can be associated with two primary pathological states:

1. Dhatu Kshaya Avastha: Depletion of tissues, where the body's ability to regenerate or maintain its essential structural components is compromised.
2. Ojo Kshaya Avastha: A depletion of Ojas, which refers to the body’s vitality or essence. A reduction in Ojas can lead to a failure of the body’s defense mechanisms, both physical and immune.

These conditions manifest due to the failure of Rasavaha Srotas (nutrient-carrying channels) and Annavaha Srotas (digestive channels) to properly nourish the body.

As these systems falter, Srotoavarodha (blockage of channels) and Agnimandhya (suppression of digestive fire) occur, resulting in the accumulation of improperly processed nutrients, known as Ama (toxins).

Correlation between Modern Pathophysiology and Ayurvedic Concepts

Proliferation and Pitta Dosha Imbalance

In modern medicine, unchecked cellular proliferation is a core feature of cancer. In Ayurveda, this corresponds to an imbalance in Pitta Dosha, which is associated with heat and metabolism.

Pitta governs the body's transformative processes, and an overactive Pitta results in abnormal cell growth and division. This parallels the sustained proliferative signaling seen in cancerous cells.


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Metastasis and Vata Dosha Dysregulation

Cancer metastasis, where cells spread to other parts of the body, can be related to the dysregulation of Vata Dosha in Ayurveda. Vata, associated with movement and activity, is responsible for cellular communication and bodily functions. When Vata becomes imbalanced, it causes Cheshta Vegapravatana (abnormal activity), leading to the spread of diseased cells throughout the body, similar to metastasis.

Tumor Microenvironment and Kapha Dosha Imbalance

The tumor microenvironment, characterized by immune evasion, chronic inflammation, and angiogenesis, can be related to Kapha Dosha imbalances. Kapha is responsible for stability and cohesion in the body, but its excessive accumulation leads to stagnation and the formation of solid masses or tumors, much like the supportive tumor stroma that protects cancerous cells from immune attack.

Angiogenesis and Ayurvedic Srotas Blockage

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels to supply tumors, can be correlated with blockages in Srotas (channels) in Ayurveda. Srotoavarodha (obstruction of channels) prevents the normal flow of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products, creating a favorable environment for tumor growth, akin to the hypoxic conditions that promote angiogenesis in cancer.

Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Ayurveda

Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy often experience significant side effects and may develop resistance to further treatments. Ayurveda describes this condition in the following verse:

भवेन्नरो ध्वस्तशिरोरुहाङ्गो विलूनपक्षः स यथा विहङ्गः |

स्थितं रसादिष्वथवा विचित्रान् करोति धातुप्रभवान् विकारान् || Su.Kal.

This illustrates the devastating impact of treatment on the body, leading to imbalances and dysfunction in bodily systems. Ayurvedic interventions such as Raktha Basti (blood-purifying enemas), Majja Basti (bone marrow therapies), and Bhoonaga Nasyam (nasal administration of therapeutic substances) are proposed to mitigate these effects.

These therapies aim to restore balance, support the body's healing processes, and enhance overall vitality.

Ayurvedic Therapeutic Approaches

Virechana as Primary Treatment

Given the role of Pitta in abnormal cell proliferation, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of reducing excess Pitta through Virechana (purgation therapy). The aim is to control the spread of cancer by restoring the balance of Pitta and Kapha.

Specific Virechaka Dravyas

Several purgative formulations are used in Ayurveda to treat cancer:

1. Snuhi Navaneetam: a moderately potent purgative.
2. Misraka Sneham: a mild purgative for cleansing deeper tissues.
3. Malla Ghritam: a mild purgative with cancer-inhibiting properties.
4. Kalyanaka Ghritam, Jeevantyadi Ghritam: formulations to balance Pitta and Kapha in advanced stages.

Additional Formulations

Various Ayurvedic formulations target specific cancer manifestations:

  • Bhoonaga Nasyam
  • Navapashanam
  • Ullivettudukadi Kashayam
  • Bhoonaga Malla Thailam
  • Red Ant Eggs with Bhoonaga Nasyam
  • Erku Tailam
  • Panchapala Choornam
  • Neelitulasyadi Kashayam

Carcinogens and Cancer in Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes several factors that predispose the body to cancer, resembling the concept of carcinogens in modern medicine. As stated:

दूषितं देशकालान्नदिवास्वप्नैरभीक्ष्णशः |

यस्माद्दूषयते धातून् तस्माद्दूषीविषं स्मृतम् || Su.Kal

This emphasizes the importance of environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors in contributing to tissue imbalances that can lead to cancer.


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Conclusion

The Ayurvedic approach to cancer emphasizes a holistic understanding of the disease, focusing on the balance of Doshas, Dhatus, and the body's ability to detoxify and rejuvenate. By integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern oncological practices, there is potential for innovative treatment strategies that address the complexities of cancer pathology and improve patient outcomes. Further research and clinical validation of Ayurvedic interventions are essential to establish their efficacy and incorporate them into conventional cancer care paradigms.

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