Prostate Cancer and Possible Ayurvedic Management

Admin | October 27, 2014 | Cancer | No Comments

Prostate Cancer is rare before the age of 50. Over 95 percent of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, a type of carcinoma which is usually slow growing. (A carcinoma is a cancer of epithelial tissues which lines structures such as the prostate and bladder.

What is Cancer?

Normally, cells have a finite lifespan, after which they die and are replaced, but sometimes the control mechanisms break down, resulting in abnormal growth of the tissue – a swelling known as a tumor/tumorz. Tumors can be benign (slow growing/ non-cancerous) or malignant (fast growing/ cancerous). Although benign tumors can cause pain and interfere with the normal function of adjacent organs as they enlarge, they are rarely life-threatening and usually respond to Ayurvedic treatments. They do not spread to other parts of the body, remaining localized at their site of development. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, destroy nearby cells as they grow and can eventually spread via the blood or lymphatic system to other parts of the body, where they form secondary tumors known as metastasis. The lymphatic vessels transport lymph, a clear fluid which drains waste away from the tissues. As the lymph passes through glands (known as lymph nodes) at various sites around the body, unwanted substances such as cancer cells are filtered out. Spread of a cancer is therefore often to the regional lymph nodes in the first instance. The process of spread is known as metastasis.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

A small prostate tumor may be symptomless and may even  remain undetected during rectal examination. As it grows, the first symptom may be difficulty urinating, although this is more commonly a symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Prostate Cancer tends to spread to the lymph nodes and bones, especially those of the hip and lower back. Bone pain is therefore often a symptom of spread of the disease. The various stages in the development of prostate cancer can be determined by testing. Treatment at an early stage, before spread has occurred, is most likely to be effective.

Causes of Prostate Cancer:

The causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood, but it is known that its growth is stimulated by the hormone testosterone. There appears to be a genetic link with the disease, which occurs more commonly in Negro races and is very uncommon in people of oriental origin.

Investigations for Prostate Cancer:

  1. A typical frequency of urine/ outflow chart:  You may be asked by your attending physician to keep a record of your urine output for a few days.
  2. DRE (Digital Rectal Exam): Your doctor may inserts a gloved finger into your rectum by anal route to feel the size of prostate gland.
  3. Uroflowmetry Exam/ Urine flow test: Can be carried out by your physician.
  4. USG (Ultra Sonography) for KUB
  5. Blood Test:PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the normal prostate. Although it is always present in the blood, its level increases with increasing age, size of the prostate and in prostatitis. A significant raised level of PSA may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, the measurement has to be viewed in the context of other symptoms and signs, and further tests will always be done to clarify the findings.
  6. Prostate Biopsy.
  7. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of prostate and surrounding structures.
  8. CT Scan (Computerised Tomography Scanning) of prostate and surrounding structures.

Possible Ayurvedic Management of Prostate Cancer:

  1. A well localized prostate cancer which has not spread beyond the prostate gland can sometimes be cured by major surgery. Appropriate Ayurvedic medicines have power tostop recurrence after surgery. Surgery is not appropriate for local spread outside the capsule or for regional spread to the pelvic lymph nodes and treatment with Ayurvedic medicines (sometimes along with radiotherapy) may be recommended in these cases. Although advanced cancer with metastases at distant sites around the body cannot be cured, in such cases treatment is available in the form of hormone therapy.
  2. Follow the “Ayurvedic Lifestyle” includes Diet Plan, Daily Routine, Seasonal Routine and
  3. Dietetics given on the Home Page of the Website.
  4. Advice Ayurvedic Medicines such as:
  • Abhayadi kwath (Punarvasu Pharmacy- Nadiad), Punarnavashtak kwath: Around 50 ml freshly prepared kwath (Decoction) twice a day.
  • Mahatiktak Grita (Nagarjuna Kerala Pharmacy): Around 10 ml twice a day along with Kwath(Decoction).
  • Tablet Arand bhrishta Harde (Balark Pharmacy): 2-3 tablets twice a day along with Kwath(Decoction).
  • Capsule Shilajit (Baidhyanath Pharmacy): 1 capsules twice a day along with Kwath(Decoction).
  • Capsule Outflow (Pinkhealth Pharmacy): 1 capsules twice a day along with Kwath(Decoction).

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