Case Report: The role of Panchagavya and Panchakarma treatment in the management of radiotherapy and chemotherapy side effects in infiltrative ductal carcinoma

Abstract

The incidence rate of infiltrative ductal carcinoma of the breast is increasing worldwide. Chemo- and radiotherapy are commonly used after the surgical intervention for radical cure. The occurrence of various side-effects of these chemo-radiation therapies creates much discomfort to the patient. Therefore, the compliance rate of the patient towards their adoption becomes poor, or the patient is highly affected by their associated side effects in unavoidable circumstances. It is imperative to study the effect of safe, alternative options such as Panchakarma and Panchagavya treatment, which are widely used in clinical practice as an adjuvant therapy in various types of carcinoma. This report presents the case of a 31-year-old female patient diagnosed with right infiltrative ductal carcinoma of the breast, and who was advised to undergo chemo-radiation therapy after surgical intervention. However, as soon as she finished the first chemo cycle, she suffered from palpitations, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, severe restlessness, and hot flushes. She was rushed to the Kamdhenu Panchgavya Ayurvedic Clinic of Govigyan Anusandhan Kendra. Specific Panchagvya Chikitsa, along with Mrudu Shodhana based on Ayurvedic principles, was prescribed to her (Kamdhenu Gomutra Ark, Laghusutshekhar Ras, Panchagavya Ghrita, Panchatikta Kshir Vasti, Anuvasana Vasti with Panchgavya Ghrita) throughout her total rounds of chemo- and radiotherapy. After starting the above-said Ayurvedic treatment, the patient experienced significant relief in all symptoms. Her full six sittings of chemo- and radiotherapy were smoothly completed without causing any untoward effect. The selected combination of Ayurveda medicines gave relief in all symptoms induced by chemo- and radiotherapy therapy due to their Vatanulomak, Pittghna, Dahahara, Balya and Rasayana properties. The present case study shows that the Panchakarma and Panchagavya treatment is effective to subside the side effects induced by chemo- and radiotherapy, and improve the compliance rate of the patients towards these conventional therapies.