Bone Cancer & Its Treatment In Ayurveda With Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Cancer begins when cells start growing out of control. Cancer can develop in any part of the body and spread to other parts of the body. Bone cancer can start in any bone but most commonly it affects the pelvis or bones of arms and legs. Bone cancer is not common as compared to other cancers and non cancerous bone tumors are much more prevalent than cancerous ones. If the cancer of another part has spread to the bone it is not named bone cancer. Cancers are named according to the part they began, such as, if breast cancer has metastasized to the bone, it will not be termed as bone cancer. There are some types of bone cancers that occur commonly in children, while some affect adults most commonly. Most common treatments include surgical removal, but radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also be used. Among these modes of treatment, the decision about which one is to be used depends on the type of bone cancer.

BONE CANCER

Bone cancer is not a common type of cancer and starts when the cell grows out of control. Bone is a supporting framework of the body that is made up of a hard outer layer and a spongy inner layer. Outer layer of bone is covered with periosteum. Some bones have an inner space called the medullary cavity that contains spongy tissue known as bone marrow.

Cells in the body help in the formation of bone by laying calcium onto the cartilage. After the formation of bone, cartilage remains at the ends and plays a role of cushion between bones. The cartilage along with other tissues and ligaments connect the bone to form a joint. Cartilage is mainly found at the end of a few bones.

Bone contains 2 types of cells:

1. Osteoclasts: Are the type of cell that dissolve old bones
2. Osteoblasts: Are the type of cell that lay down new cells.

There is an ongoing process of forming of new bone and dissolving of old bone. This process keeps the bone strong. Bone marrow contains blood forming cells that make new RBC, WBC, and Platelets. Bone marrow also contains plasma cells and fibroblasts. Any of these bone cells can cause cancer.

TYPES OF BONE CANCER

Cancer that begins in the bone is called primary bone cancer, also known as bone sarcoma. Following are the types of primary bone cancer:

1. Osteosarcoma

It is also known as osteogenic sarcoma and is the common primary bone cancer. It commonly occurs in people between 10 and 30 years of age but rarely in middle aged people. Osteosarcoma most commonly develops in the bone of the pelvis, arms, or legs.

2. Chondrosarcoma

It begins in the early form of a cartilage cell and is the most common type of primary cancer of the bone. The occurrence of chondrosarcoma is rare in people below 20 years of age and the risk of developing chondrosarcoma increases with age. It most commonly develops in hips, legs, or arms, or may start in the larynx, trachea, chest wall, ribs, shoulder blades, or skull.

3. Ewing Sarcoma

It is a rare cancer that may start in the soft tissues surrounding the bones or directly in the bones. The commonly affected bones are long bones such as arms and legs.

4. Fibrosarcoma

Fibrosarcoma is a kind of cancer that develops most commonly in soft tissues such as bones in jaws, legs and arms and middle-aged men are most commonly affected.

5. Chordoma

Chordoma is an uncommon type of bone tumor that develops in the bone of the spine, base of the skull or bottom of the spine and commonly appears in adults older than 30, more common in men as compared to women and rarely develop in children. It tends to grow slowly and does not spread to different parts of the body. If they are not removed completely they often recur in the same area. Rarely, if they spread, it occurs in the lungs, liver or lymph nodes.

6. Giant cell tumor of bone

This is a type of primary bone tumor that could be either benign or malignant. Common form is a benign one and commonly seen in people in their 20s or 30s. Giant cell bone tumors usually affect legs (near the knees) or arms. They don spread to other parts of the body. There are chances of recurrence in the place where they begin, after the surgery. With the recurrence there are chances of spread of the tumor to other parts of the body, most commonly lungs. Rarely, it can spread to distant parts of the body without the history of recurring locally.

OTHER CANCERS THAT DEVELOP IN BONES

There are these cancers that develop in the bone but usually dont begin in the actual bone cells, They begin in the blood cells or immune cells in bone marrow.

1. Multiple myeloma

Multiple myelomas start in the type of immune cells called plasma cells in the bone marrow, this is the reason they are not considered primary bone cancer. Sometimes, it can be seen as a single tumor, called plasmacytoma, in a bone, but commonly it spreads to distant bones and hence is treated as a widespread disease.

2. Leukemia

Cancer of blood-forming tissues is called leukemia that includes bone marrow and lymphatic system. There are many kinds of leukemia; some are more common in children, while others most commonly occur in adults.

3. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lymphatic system is our body’s germ-fighting immune system. The cancer that begins in the lymphatic system is called Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. When white blood cells called Lymphocytes start growing abnormally and develop tumors all over the body, it is knows as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

BONE CANCER STAGING

Staging of the bone cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, and the spread of the cancer to distant areas. Primary bone cancer has been categorized in four stages:

1. Stage 1

In stage 1 the tumor is low grade and the cancer cells are localized.

2. Stage 2

In stage 2 the tumor is high grade but the cancer cells are still localized.

3. Stage 3

In stage 3 the cancer starts spreading within the same bone.

4. Stage 4

Cancer starts spreading to distant parts of the body such as lungs or liver.

CAUSES OF BONE CANCER

The exact cause of bone cancer is not known but there are some contributing risk factors that enhance the chances of a person to develop abnormal growth in the bone.

However, bone cancers are not related to any peculiar risk factors. Some patients with various risk factors never develop cancer, whereas in some patients with no risk factors there is development of cancer. However, knowing the risk factors and having a word with the doctor about it will assist in making more wise lifestyle and health care choices.

FOLLOWING ARE THE FEW RISK FACTORS OF BONE CANCER

1. Genetics

Patients of eye cancer, retinoblastoma, have a high risk of developing bone cancer. People with a family history of sarcoma are at high risk.

2. Other Bone conditions

Paget’s disease increases the risk of bone cancer. Non cancerous bone diseases like fibrous dysplasia increase the risk of bone cancer.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for another cancer increases the risk of developing secondary cancer, usually bone cancer

4. Radiotherapy

Having radiation therapy for other conditions raises the risk of bone cancer at the site of radiation therapy. It may take years or even decades after the treatment.

SYMPTOMS OF BONE CANCER

With the growth of the bone tumor there is a pressure on healthy bone tissue and its destruction that results in the following symptoms

1. Swelling and stiffnes

A tumor in or near a joint results in swelling or stiffness in the joint and there is limited and painful range of motion.

2. Limping:

Later stage bone cancer of leg results in fracture and leads to limping

3. Pain

There is pain and swelling at the location of the tumor. Initially the pain is mild and occasional, but with the growth of the tumor the pain becomes steady and severe. There may be worsening of pain with movement or swelling in nearby soft tissue. Most bone cancers in children occur around the knees and can be delayed in diagnosis because of misdiagnosis with growing pains.

4. Other common symptoms

Weight loss, fever, anemia, and feeling unwell are some of the symptoms of bone cancer.

OUTLOOK FOR PATIENT WITH BONE CANCER

Many bone cancer cases are being treated successfully and there are no chances of recurrence. Sometimes patients may need multiple surgeries to attain this outcome. Some patients may need chemotherapy or radiation therapy to keep cancer from spreading. These treatments may continue for long to control cancer.

It is vital to keep a regular check on recurrence or spread of cancer because with the early detection of recurrence, treatment will start soon to have a good outlook.

DIAGNOSIS OF BONE CANCER

The imaging test may suggest diagnosis of bone cancer; biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis and to find out the subtype. If biopsy is not possible, other tests may be suggested by the doctor in making a diagnosis.

Along with physical examination, following tests are needed to diagnose bone cancer and to determine its stage.

1. Blood tests
2. Bone scans
3. X-ray
4. CT scan
5. MRI
6. PET -CT scan
7. Biopsy

AYURVEDIC OUTLOOK ON BONE CANCER

According to the Ayurvedic concept,cancers are known as Arbuda. Ayurveda’s cancer treatment protocol is to reduce swelling and hardness by herbal remedies, then remnants of cancer cells are burnt by local cauterization, the process is known as Agnikarma, and at last Rejuvenating therapy is done to enhance the strength and immunity of the body.

Planet Ayurveda provides the best Ayurvedic treatment for bone cancer with effective and standardized and effective herbal remedies that targets at the root cause of the cancer, these remedies also reduce the blood flow to the cancer cells, glucose uptake by cancer cells is also reduced leaving them starved and weak their strength to multiply. The microenvironment of the body is also changed by the herbal remedies, hence the cancer finds it difficult to survive and results in their death.

With the help of Ayurvedic treatment by standardized herbal remedies and following a proper diet plan, the patient is able to combat cancer in a better way. The chances of metastasis of cancer is also reduced resulting in relapse of the disease. Herbal treatment also reduces the chances of chemotherapy and surgery.

With the best Ayurvedic treatment for Bone cancer, the quality of life of the patient is definitely improved, moreover, early Ayurvedic treatment is best known to prevent metastasis and recurrence.

CRAB CARE PACK

Crab Care Pack is effective in the management of conditions that are related to irregularities in the formation of cells, its multiplication, and in the cell structure. Crab Care Pack is indicated in conditions where the cells in the body grow, multiply, and die in an uncontrolled manner. This fast and unregulated process damages the healthy cells within the body, which results in the birth of bad cells and if left untreated they are known to cause a myriad of diseases.

Crab Care Pack includes the following herbal products:

1. Ashwagandha Capsules
2. Curcumin Capsules
3. Kanchnaar Guggul
4. Guggul Capsules
5. Tulsi Capsules
6. Chandraprabha Vati

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha capsule is a single herb formulation. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) standard extract is used to make the medicine. Various studies have shown that Ashwagandha contains a variety of compounds that help in fighting certain cancers. It is considered the safest medicine to be used with cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy as it is beneficial in easing the side effects like weak immune system during chemotherapy. Apart from extraordinary effects on different kinds of cancer, Ashwagandha has various other benefits like it is highly beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases, stress, anxiety, arthritis, infertility.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice with warm water after meals.

2. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin Capsule is a single herb formulation that is made from extract of Haridra (Curcuma Longa). These capsules are rich in antioxidants and its regular use protects from the damage due to free radicals, hence it gives strength to the immune system and prevents cancers and tumours. Curcumin has the potential to prevent cancer, it slows down the spread of cancer, it makes the chemotherapy outcome more effective, and also protects the damage of healthy cells by radiation therapy

Dosage: 2 capsules twice with plain water after meals.

3. Kanchnaar Guggul

This product is a polyherbal formulation that contain Kachnar Bark (Bauhinia variegata), Triphala (Terminalia billerica, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula), Trikatu (Zingiber officinale, piper longum, Solanum nigrum), etc. The main ingredients being Kachnaar bark and Guggul. It is the best natural supplement to keep the cells and tissues of the body healthy enough. Kanchnaar Guggul exhibits cytotoxic effects i.e. it inhibits cell proliferation. It also has wonderful effects on tumors, cystic swellings, PCOS, and ulcers.

Dosage: 2 tablets thrice a day with warm water after meals.

4. Guggul Capsules

These capsules contain Guggul (Commiphora mukul) which is made from gum resin that is picked from tree commiphora and is abundant in guggulsterones. Guggul promotes the healthy growth of cells. It has been used in Ayurveda for centuries for its benefits in cancer treatment as it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also widely used in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, urinary disorder, acne, obesity, diabetes, etc.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice with warm water after meals.

5. Tulsi Capsules

This is a single herb formulation that is made from standard extract of Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum). Tulsi capsules are immunity enhancers hence this remedy is highly effective in cancer cases. It acts as a prophylactic against negative effects of various environmental toxins including cancer. Apart from cancer properties Tulsi capsules are also used in fever, common cold, cough, respiratory heart disorders, mouth infections, teeth disorder, eye disorder, headache, etc. Tulsi is known to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress due to pollutants and physical stress due to physical exertion, ischemia, cold and excessive noise. Regular use of Tulsi capsules helps the body in fighting infections in a very effective way.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice with warm water after meals.

6. Chandraprabha Vati

Chandraprabha Vati is a polyherbal formulation that contains various herbs like Shilajit (Asphaltum), Guggul (Commifora mukul), Haridra (Curcuma Longa), Shunthi (Zingiber Oficinalis), etc. It is highly beneficial in cancer treatment and is also widely used in various health problems like urinary tract troubles, diabetes, tumors, cysts, obesity, general weakness, and male and female health issues.

Dosage: 2-3 tablets, thrice a day with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Considering the surge in the number of cancer cases, it is prudent to take herbal immunomodulators and Ayurvedic dietary plans in order to have disease free and longevity. There is a lot of scope of Ayurveda in the effective management of cancer by carefully analyzing and comparing the variety of concepts mentioned in our old texts with recent information in modern texts. The only aim of Ayurvedic remedies is to give relief to the patient from unwanted side effects of cancer like decrease in immunity, poor quality of life, poor response of surgery, altered efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.