How to treat Carcinoid Tumor in Ayurveda?

Carcinoid is a rare tumor that begins in cells in the neuroendocrine system. Usually, they grow slowly and can arise in several places throughout the body. Mostly they begin in the digestive tract and have a potential for metastasis. The primary area of involvement is the gut as primitive stem cells give rise to these carcinoid tumors and produce a large amount of hormones. They can also be seen in other organs like – ovaries, lungs, prostate and kidneys which are most of the time metastatic in nature. And as compared to metastatic tumors the growth rate is very slow. Mostly the appendix and small intestine are the most common organs that are affected by the carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors of the mid gut like jejunum, ileum, duodenum, etc. are often associated with carcinoid syndrome (comprises of signs and symptoms that occur secondary to the carcinoid tumor). The incidence ratio is high in the age group of 40s and 50s, in females and in African American races. The risk of carcinoid tumors is high in person with the history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, pernicious anemia, etc.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF CARCINOID TUMOR

According to Ayurveda tumors are considered as 'Arbuda' which usually result from improper dietary and lifestyle behaviors, genetic factors, all leading to vitiation of tridoshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), which get lodged in dhatus and also vitiate them and produce a swelling or growth. These growths or tumors may be malignant or non-malignant in nature and are often metastatic in nature.

Reference – Sushruta samhita / nidaanstahana / chapter no. 11 / shloka no.3)

WHAT CAUSES CARCINOID TUMORS?

Still, the cause of carcinoid tumors is not known. But there are some factors that can cause Carcinoid tumors are –

• Improper or unwholesome diet and lifestyle are responsible for all the cancers.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and even smoking can cause a tumor.
• Exposure to carcinogenic substances, radiations, etc. are responsible for carcinoid tumors.
• Genetic predisposition or genetic mutations  
• Weak immunity
• Hormonal imbalance

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARCINOID TUMORS?

Carcinoid tumors are mostly asymptomatic and even they won't create trouble for months or years. Symptoms may vary from patient to patient and depend upon the underlying organs and tissues. Sometimes these carcinoid tumors produce hormones which start accumulating in the organs and produce symptoms of carcinoid tumors.

The symptoms depend upon the underlying organ, hence vary in carcinoid cancers but some common symptoms are –

• Protruded masses.
• Inflammation – Swelling can be internal or external.
• Painful or sometimes painless.
• Sometimes associated with bleeding and fever
• Gastro intestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and dysentery, etc.
• Wheezing and cough
• Peripheral edema.
• Flushing because of hormonal imbalance especially due to serotonin.
• Weight loss

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

As discussed earlier, carcinoid tumors are asymptomatic so diagnosis is purely on laboratory investigations. Most of the time, these tumors are ruled out during investigations of some other diseases. Here are some diagnostic criterias that help to evaluate the cause, nature and extent of tumors.

• CBC (Complete blood count)
• USG (Ultrasound)
• CT scan (Computed tomography)
• MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)
• Nuclear Medicine Tests
• PET (Positron emission tomography)
• CRP (C-reactive protein)  
• CgA levels (Chromogranin A)
• Urine tests
• Endoscopy
• Hormonal assay
• Biopsy

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

The treatment protocol is basically aimed to reduce and resolve the growth, eradicate the causative factors, preventing the body from various ailments by increasing the immunity and restoring the normal functions of the involved and affected organ. So just by keeping these things in focus Planet Ayurveda offers and evolved the "CRAB CARE PACK". This pack contains formulations which are prepared from natural, pure extracts of herbs and are really effective in treating Carcinoid tumors. The medicines that are incorporated in "Crab Care pack" are as follows –

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

Crab Care Pack

1. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin capsules are made using the pure extract of herb – Haridra (Curcuma longa). The active ingredient of this formulation is 'Curcumin' which is anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous in nature thus this herb helps to manage the infection and growth of tumors or cancerous cells. These capsules are also used as a preventive measure in those who have a family history of tumors.

Dosage: 2 capsules to be taken twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Tulsi Capsules

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is an immune modulator herb that helps to manage the immunity. A natural supplement that restores and supports the overall health as well as impaired signals from the brain that causes uncontrolled mitotic division. It helps to manage genetic mutations of the DNA as well.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Guggul Capsules

Guggul (Commiphora mukul), the raisin of the plant is used as a medicine to cure kaphaj disorders in our body. Guggul has sharp potency that manages all the growths or uncontrolled cell divisions. Moreover, it keeps the cell structure healthy.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Kanchnaar Guggul

Kanchnaar guggul is a classical preparation of Ayurveda that helps to cut down the extra growth from the body due to its ksharan and tikshana qualities, hence a potent medicine of choice in case of tumors.

Dosage: 2 tablets to be taken two times daily with plain water after meals.

5. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are composed of pure extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). It is an anti-oxidant and rejuvenating herb thus helps to eliminate free radicals from the body and repairs the damaged tissues.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

6. Chanderprabha Vati

An effective classical formulation that has the potency to maintains all the body functions. This medicine is composed of various herbs but Shilajit (Asphaltum) and Guggul (Commiphora mukul) are the main ingredients. Chanderprabha vati works effectively on urinary tract problems, extra growths and generalized health issues synergistically with other herbs.  

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

Along with natural herbs, you should do some modifications in your diet and lifestyle to empower your immune system to attain a healthy and disease-free life. You can adopt a healthy nutritious diet along with Yoga and exercises to achieve this goal.

How Can Carcinoid Tumor Be Treated In Ayurveda?

Carcinoid tumor is a type of cancer that grows slowly and can arise in more than one part of the body. Depending upon the location of this cancer symptoms may vary. It is also called neuroendocrine tumors and usually begins in the lungs and digestive tract. Signs and symptoms do not appear in the early stage of carcinoid tumor, shows up lately making prognosis bad. This tumor can produce some hormones and releases them into the body which results in some signs and symptoms like flushing of skin and diarrhea. This is because wherever they appear, affect the cells that produce hormones. Hence known as neuroendocrine tumors.

This type of tumor is not common but this tumor can affect pancreas, testicles in men and ovaries in women.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CARCINOID TUMOR?

As discussed, in initial stages there are no signs and symptoms of this disease. Signs and symptoms depend upon the location of this tumor.

In Lungs:

• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Heat flushing on skin (Feeling of warmth or redness on neck and face)
• Appearance of purple or pink stretch marks on skin
• Increased weight on upper and midsection of the body.

In Digestive Tract:

• Pain in the abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Intestinal blockage resulting in the inability to pass stool
• Pain in rectum
• Feeling or warmth on neck and face or redness of face

WHAT CAN BE THE CAUSES OF CARCINOID TUMOR?

An exact cause of carcinoid tumor is not known but it also develops as other cancers develop by the mutation of the DNA in cells. Due to the abnormal mutations in these cells, they grow and divide where healthy cells would normally die. These cells start accumulating and form a tumor and these cancerous cells invade the healthy cells nearby and spread in to other parts of the body.

In carcinoid tumor, this cancer develops in the neuroendocrine cells found in various parts of the body. Hormones produced by these cells are altered by the cancerous cells and produce signs and symptoms.

WHAT CAN BE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CARCINOID TUMOR?

• Older adults are prone to these carcinoid tumors than the younger population.
• Women are more likely to suffer this disease than men.
• Family history of endocrine neoplasia increases the risk of developing carcinoid tumor.

HOW CAN CARCINOID TUMOR BE TREATED IN AYURVEDA?

As per Ayurveda cancer is compared to arbud. Arbud is developed due to the vitiation of dhatus and doshas especially mamsa dhatu, rakta dhatu and kapha dosha. Vitiated Kapha dosha blocks the channels and mamsa dhatu starts collecting and forms a piece of mass. This mass keeps on growing due to abnormal growth of cells. It travels to various parts of the body through blood and settles down there. This vicious cycle goes on and cancer keeps on spreading to different organs.

Planet Ayurveda has come up with the Crab care pack that is used to treat various types of cancer. Herbs present in these remedies work amazingly and synergistically to fight against cancer cells. These remedies are prepared from best quality of herbs and under strict Ayurvedic principles. No chemicals, additives, preservatives, dye or fillers are added in it. These are purely vegetarian and not tested on animals.

Crab Care Pack

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Withania somnifera is the herb of choice in these herbal capsules. It is a health tonic and rasayana which helps in rejuvenation of the cells. It fights fatigue, weakness and stress in a very natural way. Inflammations and infections can be treated with these capsules effectively. As cancer is a debilitating disease hence ashwagandha capsules can work as a boon for regaining the strength.

Dosage - Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

2. Tulsi Capsules

These are also the single herb capsules which are made up of Ocimum sanctum. Tulsi is the storehouse of numerous medicinal properties and has been used since ancient times for treating different health ailments. Antioxidants present in it helps to prevent the oxidative damage to the body, thus preventing the formation of tumor or cancer. Tulsi capsules are filled with all the medicinal properties of the respective herb like, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, etc.

Dosage - Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

Meaning - Tulsi stimulates digestive fire. It treats skin diseases, urinary tract diseases, pain of the ribs and also eliminates vitiated Vata and Kapha dosha.

Reference - Bhavprakash Nighantu, Pushpvarga, Shloka no. 62

3. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin used in this herbal capsule is the active compound present in turmeric that is responsible for all the medicinal properties of turmeric. It fights the cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis in them. Anti-inflammatory properties present in it clear the chronic and acute inflammation and anti-oxidative nature of these capsules prevent oxidative damage to the body.

4. Chanderprabha Vati

These herbal tablets help in calming and soothing the body. Chanderprabha vati is a very effective and natural stress buster and adaptogen. It helps in clearing out the tumor and cancerous growth in the body. These herbal tablets restore the normal functioning of the body at cellular level.

Dosage - Take 2 tablets thrice daily after meals with plain water.

5. Guggul Capsules

It has blood purifying properties which help in clearing the toxins present in the blood, hence preventing many blood ailments. Cell rejuvenation is also done by these herbal capsules in a very natural way, helping to fight back cancer.

Dosage - Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water.

6. Kachnaar Guggul

It is the blend of various herbs that help in treating tumors and cancers or any other abnormal growth in the body. Herbs like Kachnaar (Bauhinia variegata), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica) etc, are present in it. Kachnaar guggul tablets help in killing the cancerous cells and resolving the formed tumor.

Dosage - Take 2 tablets thrice daily after meals with plain water.