About Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient system of Indian medicine that has originated more than 3000 years ago. Ayurveda strongly believes and advocates that physical health and mental wellness depend on the delicate balance between mind, body and spirit. To achieve this delicate balance ayurveda preaches different treatment modalities like herbal drugs, exercises, yoga, and many other different modalities. The word Ayurveda is derived from “Ayur” which means life and “Veda” meaning is “Knowledge”. So, popularly ayurveda means “the science of life”. Ayurvedic treatment for Liver Cancer is increasing globally. Ayurveda treatment for liver Cancer is focuses on the entire system.
What is Liver?
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is diagnosed through combination of modalities like physical examinations, imaging tests (such as Ultrasound, Computed Tomography Scan, and MRI), and the blood investigations. Blood investigations includes to check the liver function tests and tumors markers. Biopsy and further histopathology studies of the mass can be confirmatory in studies of liver cancer.
Liver Cancer Statistics
1) Incidence:
2) Mortality:
3) Gender:
4) Type of Liver Cancer:
5) Risk Factors:
6) Geographical Variation:
7) Age:
Liver Cancer Causes
1) Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Infection:
2) Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV):
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus is another significant concern in increased risk for of liver cancer. Hepatitis C Virus Infection causes chronic inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis (Scarring) which further result in development of liver cancer in some of the infected individuals. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is transmitted primarily due to transfusion of blood of a person who is infected with Hepatitis C into another normal person, exposure to blood of infected individual, and sharing needles of infected individuals.
3) Cirrhosis:
4) Alcohol:
5) Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Steateo-Hepatitis (NASH):
6) Aflatoxin Exposure:
7) Other Factors:
Types of Liver Cancer
Primary Liver Cancer:
1) Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC):
2) Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC):
3) Hepatoblastoma:
4) Hemangiosarcoma and Angiosarcoma:
Secondary Liver Cancer
Histological Classification of Liver Cancer
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC):
1) Well-differentiated HCC:
2) Moderately-differentiated HCC:
3) Poorly-differentiated HCC:
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA):
1) Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA):
2) Extrahepatic CCA (eCCA):
3) Well-differentiated CCA:
4) Moderately differentiated CCA:
5) Poorly differentiated CCA:
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
1) Abdominal Pain:
2) Jaundice:
3) Unexplained Weight Loss:
4) Abdominal Swelling:
5) Enlarged liver or palpable mass:
Treatment of Liver Cancer
1) Liver resection: Liver resection means removing the part of the liver that contain tumor.
2) Liver transplantation: Liver transplantation can be considered when it is confirmed by different modalities that cancer has not spread beyond liver, and certain other criteria are met, then a liver transplant can be considered.
3) Ablation Techniques: Different procedures like radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation is considered in limited stage or early stage cancer disease.
4) Chemoembolization: This procedure involves directly delivering the chemotherapy drugs to the site of the tumor in the liver.
5) Radiation Therapy: Radiotherapy can be used to target and destroy cancer cells.
6) Targeted Therapy: Different targeted drugs can be used to target specific genetic mutations or protein responsible for growth, and the spread of cancer.
7) Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy involves stimulating the immune system and helping them recognizing the cancer cells further killing them.
8) Chemotherapy: Different chemotherapy drugs can be used to target and kill cancer cells’.
9) Palliative Care: In advanced stage liver cancer disease when it is not curable, palliative care tends to take care of different symptoms of cancer patient like pain etc. and improve the standard of living of the patient.
It is most important to note that different treatment modalities mentioned in liver cancer also takes into consideration individual factors, and is determined by multidisciplinary team of Ayurvedic Cancer Specialist who specializes in successful liver cancer treatment.
Liver Cancer in Ayurveda or आयुर्वेद में लिवर कैंसर
Liver / यकृत in Ayurveda
Rakthavaha Strotas
शोणितवहानां स्रोतसां यकृन्मूलं प्लीहा च. Charak Vimanasthana 5/7
The origin or base of Rakthavaha Strotas in Yakrut (Liver) and Pleeha (Spleen).
विदाहीन्यन्नपानानि स्निग्धोष्णानि द्रवाणि च| रक्तवाहीनि दुष्यन्ति भजतां चातपानलौ|| Charak Vimansthana 5/14
Individual or person who consumes foods or drinks that cause burning sensation in abdomen, and those who also consume greasy, hot and liquefied food in excessive amount can cause vitiation of Rakthavaha Strotas. Dusthi or vitiation of Rakthavaha Strotas also happens because of excessive exposure to sun or fire.
Treatment of Liver Cancer in Ayurveda
The main goal of Ayurveda therapy is to find the cause of the Cancer, while the therapeutic approach of Ayurveda is simply divided into two major categories
1) Oral Medications
2) Panchakarma.
Oral Medications
1) Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) in Liver Cancer
1) Hepatoprotective Activities: Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) has proven hepatoprotective activities and protect liver from damage due to different conditions. It supports liver function, and the management of different liver related conditions including primary and secondary liver cancer.
2) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This properties prove beneficial in liver cancer patients.
3) Immune system support: Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) has a good immuno-modulatory effects, and by doing so it helps in increasing susceptibility of liver cancer cells to immune system.
4) Anti-Cancer activities: Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) has several bioactive compounds which has anti-cancer activities. It induces cancer cell deaths through apoptosis, and inhibits growth of the cancer cells thereby preventing the proliferation and metastatis of the cancer.
Bhumiamlaki Ghanvati (भूमि आमलकी घनवटी) in Liver Cancer
Panchang (five parts – leaves, stem, bark, roots and flowers) of Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumiamlaki) is washed clean with water and is cooked with 16 times of water. When half amount of water is remaining the mixture is filtered through cotton cloth, and the solid part is separated and discarded.
The remaining liquid is boiled again till a thick paste like stage is attained, and further cooking is stopped. Now the thick paste is further sundried and tablets or vati is prepared from it. This Bhumiamlaki Ghanvati (भूमि आमलकी घनवटी) proves beneficial in primary or secondary liver cancer patients.
2) Swertia Chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) in Liver Cancer
Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) which is also commonly known as Chirayita, is a medicinal plant that is commonly found in Himalayan region, including Nepal, Bhutan, and in India too. Chirayita is widely used since ancient times in Ayurvedic and Tibetan system of medicines, and has various other health benefits. Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) is commonly known as bitter tonic.
Entire plant of Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) is used including stem, leaves, and the roots for different medicinal purposes, and in liver cancer. Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) contains several bioactive compounds, including swertiamarin, amarogentinin, mangiferin, and xanthones, and it contributes to its vast medicinal properties.
Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) is commonly used to treat various disorders like fever, digestive issues, and various liver diseases. It is also known to promote and support immune system. Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) also has hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-microbial properties, so it proves very beneficial in liver cancer patients.
Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) exhibits anti-cancer effects by inhibiting the proliferation of the liver cancer cells and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) have been found effective in restricting the growth of primary liver cancer. Bioactive compounds in Swertia chirayita (Kirat Tiktha) such as swertiamarin and amarogentinin shows hepatoprotective properties, and it prevent further liver damage.
Kirat Tiktha Ghanvati (किराततिक्त घनवटी) in Liver Cancer Patients
3) Tamra Bhasma (ताम्र भस्म) in Liver Cancer patients
Tamra Bhasma is also called incinerated copper, and is one of the most important medication for Ayurvedic Practitioners. There are several different methods of preparation of Tamra Bhasma mentioned in Ayurvedic Texts. Tamra Bhasma or incinerated copper is one of the most important metallic bhasmas mentioned in Ayurveda and is used in treatment of many diseases.
Tamra Bhasma is prepared by following the procedure of Shodhana, Marana and Amritikarana as mentioned in different Ayurvedic texts which is done over Copper (Tamra). Then processed copper (tamra) is taken for puta or incineration under controlled environment to get good Tamra Bhasma. Generally three such puta or incineration procedure is done or number can vary depending on the text which is being followed. Puta or controlled incineration destroys the impurities in Tamra, and increases its bioavailability.
Tamra Bhasma can be used in multiple disorders like Fever (Jwara), Cachexia (Rajayakshma), Liver and Spleen Disorders (Yakrut Pleeha Roga), Different Eye disorders (Various Netra Roga), Vatavyadhi and Skin disorders (Kustha Roga). Tamra Bhasma is believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immuno-modulatory properties.
Tamra Bhasma has proved its potency against liver cancer and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Tamra Bhasma induces apoptosis by regulation of p53 gene, activation of BAX and inhibition of Bcl – 2 protein induced apoptosis.
Purgation or Virechana Karma (विरेचन कर्म) in Liver Cancer Patients
Virechana Karma is one of the purification therapies mentioned under Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Virechana Karma mainly focusses on eliminating excessive dustha doshas mainly pitta dosha and toxins from the body. Virechana Karma involves administration of purgative medications to induce controlled and gentle purgation which eventually stops on its own.
Virechana Karma involves poorva karma or preparatory phase in which oleation of the patient is done through medicated ghee which help in liquefying the dustha doshas and transporting the toxins toward gastrointestinal tracts for further elimination through administration of purgative drugs.
Virechana Karma helps in balancing Pitta Dosha and improving digestion of the liver cancer patients. It even enhances metabolism, and promote mental and physical well-being of liver cancer patients.
About Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’
Team “Cancer In Ayurveda” is dedicated group of researcher and practitioners who have come together with aim of exploring the potential of Ayurveda in Cancer management, and further benefitting the cancer patients. Team “Cancer In Ayurveda” strongly believes in principles of Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing system and further inculcates those principles in treatment and management of Cancer patients.
We at Team “Cancer In Ayurveda” also have a shared dream of raising the awareness of the role of Ayurveda in management of Cancer Disease among modern healthcare professionals and general public. We at Team “Cancer In Ayurveda” also strive to restore balance and harmony among doshas in the body of the cancer patients.
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