Cholangiocarcinoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Cholangiocarcinoma (CC), also recognized as gall bladder cancer, is a malignancy of the biliary duct technique and could possibly originate either in the liver or the extrahepatic bile ducts. Much more than 95% of these tumors are ductal adenocarcinomas and a number of patients present with inoperable or metastatic disease. Lengthy-standing inflammation and chronic parasitic infection are believed to be responsible for this condition. Widespread symptoms involve jaundice, clay colored stools, dark urine, itching, weight loss and abdominal pain.

The Ayurvedic remedy of CC is aimed at treating the tumor, controlling the symptoms, stopping a blockage of bile flow, infection and other complications and prolonging life. Ayurvedic medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati and Bhunimbadi-Qadha are utilised to treat the actual tumor. Herbal medicines like Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Karela (Momordica charantia), Trikatu (3 pungent herbs), Pippali (Piper longum), Marich (Piper nigrum), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) can also be made use of for this purpose. Most of these herbal medicines also lower inflammation and avoid infection.

Medicines like Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) can avoid or treat complications like fistula formation. These medicines need to be given in extremely high doses round the clock, in order to heal fistulas resulting from the tumor. In order to stop a recurrence of fistula, these medicines really should be continued for at least two months just after complete healing has occurred. Some patients are not in a position to swallow medicines, for example, those with severe vomiting. For such patients, the medicines can be powdered, mixed with milk and honey, and then administered by a syringe, by way of a nasogastric tube.

Medicines like Kutki, Trikatu, Shankh-Vati, Chitrakadi-Vati, Hingashtak-Churna and Samudradi-Lavan-Churna can be used to treat jaundice and abdominal discomfort. Itching is often triggered since of a deposition of bile pigment under the skin. This symptom can be treated utilizing medicines like Haridra, Amalaki, Trikatu and Triphala (3 fruits). Weight loss is normally treated by the standard treatment of the tumor itself. However, extensive weight loss can be treated employing medicines like Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras, Suvarna-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia) and Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta).

Medicines like Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Kanchnaar-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Qadha can be used to prevent the spread of the tumor to other parts of the body. These medicines, in combination with immunomodulatory medicines, have a combined effect in prolonging life for the affected patients. Immune-boosting medicines involve Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Triphala, Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Heerak-Bhasma.

CC is normally deemed to have a poor prognosis with an overall survival of roughly six months, despite aggressive modern anti-cancer therapy and interventional supportive care. Ayurvedic remedy, consequently, has a definite role to play in treating this tumor and prolonging life.