Introduction
Cancer is a major non-communicable disease and remains a significant challenge due to its severity and limitations of current treatments. It is the second-leading non-communicable disease after ischemic heart disease. Despite advances in therapy, cancer management often results in substantial treatment-related toxicity, necessitating supportive and integrative approaches.
Conventional cancer management approaches
Cancer treatment is based on multimodal strategies aimed at tumour control and symptom relief.
- Surgical excision remains the oldest and most established treatment for tumour removal1
- Radiation therapy is used in nearly half of cancer patients for local and regional control
- Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs and hormones targeting malignant cells more than normal cells
- Health-related quality of life includes physical, mental, and social well-being
- Only a fraction of patients achieve cure or significant survival benefit, while many experience toxic adverse effects
Radiotherapy effects and limitations
Radiotherapy is widely used but associated with significant adverse effects.
- Affects rapidly dividing tissues such as skin, mucosa, and gastrointestinal tract
- Causes nausea, vomiting, mucositis, diarrhea, fatigue, and taste changes
- Cancer cachexia is a major cause of mortality involving metabolic and cytokine imbalance 2
- Long-term effects include xerostomia, edema, and organ damage
- Biological efficacy depends on dose, oxygenation, and tissue sensitivity
Ayurvedic perspective and Rasayana support
In Ayurveda, cancer is described under Arbuda, often linked with Tridoshaja and Asadhya conditions. Conventional therapies like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are used for tumour control and recurrence prevention.
Radiotherapy effectiveness is described by the “4 R’s”: repair, redistribution, repopulation, and reoxygenation.
Rasayana therapy focuses on rejuvenation and systemic balance:
- Enhances vitality (Jeevaniya), strength (Balya), and anti-ageing (Vayahsthapana) effects
- Supports Dhatu nourishment and homeostasis
- Helps reduce treatment-related toxicity
A Rasayana Avaleha formulation used as adjuvant therapy includes:
- Amalaki, Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Yashtimadhu, Jivanti, Tulasi, and Pippali 3
Conclusion
Cancer management relies on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but toxicity and incomplete response remain major challenges. Rasayana therapy offers a supportive Ayurvedic approach that may improve tolerance, reduce adverse effects, and enhance systemic resilience in integrative cancer care.
References:
1. Kramer S, Herring DF. The patterns of care study: a nationwide evaluation of the practice of radiation therapy in cancer management. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1976;1(11-12):1231-1236. doi:10.1016/0360-3016(76)90101-2. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0360-3016(76)90101-2
2. Nelson KA, Walsh D, Sheehan FA. The cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome. J Clin Oncol. 1994;12(1):213-225. doi:10.1200/JCO.1994.12.1.213. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.1994.12.1.213?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
3. Vyas P, Thakar AB, Baghel MS, Sisodia A, Deole Y. Efficacy of Rasayana Avaleha as adjuvant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in reducing adverse effects. Ayu. 2010;31(4):417-423. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.82029. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3202271/