Learning Points

Below are the excerpts from the presentations made by Dr Madhabnanda Kar, Dr Kuldeep Sharma and Dr Tanvir Hussain.

• It’s a world of precision, do does the oncology. Precision Oncology is an art for providing the right drug for the right patient at the right time. Molecular and mechanistic understanding of cancer pathogenesis in needed to learn the precision oncology in depth.
• The progression of technology in oncology is rising and we are able to understand it from single genes to whole genomes, and the importance of various profiling techniques are emerging. Genetic disorder inheritance and the role of genetic studies is significant in disease identification and management.
• A multidisciplinary approach in oncology involves various specialists, including surgical, radiation, and medical oncologists, as well as bio-molecular specialists and data analysts.
• The emotional impact on patients and the role of psycho-oncologists and social workers are also needed to deal a patient holistically.
• The presentation details the significance of biomarkers like β-catenin and TRF2 in cancer research. It includes statistical data on their recurrence and significance in tumors and cut margins. The importance of biological networks in understanding cancer pathogenesis and drug discovery is also discussed.
• Dr Kar also showed various publications and conference papers related to graph-based explorations of PPI networks and essential protein identification in cancer.
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide with 19 million new cases diagnosed in 2020 and 10 million deaths. The number of cancer deaths increased by 38% between 1990 and 2010. However, overall cancer mortality has reduced over the last 50 years due to better knowledge and continuous developments in oncology.
• Common Cancers in Different Regions:In the developed world, common cancers in males include prostate and lung, while in females, breast and colorectal cancers are prevalent. In India, oral cavity and lung cancers are common in males, while breast and cervix cancers are common in females.
• Factors Contributing to Increasing Cancer Rates: Factors contributing to the increasing cancer rates include reduced deaths from other diseases, increased diagnosis and awareness, adoption of Western lifestyle, higher consumption of saturated fat, stress, reduced physical activity, and changing sexual behaviors.
• Advancements in Cancer Pain Management: Cancer pain management has evolved from continuous doses of painkillers to the use of sustained release formulations, transdermal patches, and self-controllable implantable devices. New technologies like Quell and virtual reality help manage chronic pain and reduce pain-associated symptoms.
• A substantial segment of cancer population seeks add-on therapies including homeopathy in addition to conventional treatments to reduce side effects and to have better quality of life.
• Homoeopathy is gaining global popularity in oncology.
• Global Use of Homoeopathy and CAM: In Europe, 36% of cancer patients use complementary medicine, including homeopathy. In Germany, homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM treatment among cancer patients. In Italy, 17% of chemotherapy patients use CAM. Homeopathy is a leading CAM therapy in integrative oncology services in Europe.
• An evidence based case study of treatment of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer was discussed. A patient with high-grade papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder experienced severe burning pain and frequent urination. Conventional treatments failed, leading him to seek homoeopathy. After few months of homoeopathic treatment, the patient showed significant clinical improvement and had better quality of life.
• In another case study of treatment of Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma, a patient presented with painful neck wound sought homoeopathic treatment after conventional treatments had limited outcome. He experienced significant improvement in pain, appetite, and overall health. His wound healed completely, and he now lives a normal life with good quality of life.

Below are the excerpts of the homeopathic management of cancer with homeopathy taken from the article – Enhancing Quality of Life in Cancer Patients

Prominent homeopathic research studies (few out of many)

• Psorinum 6x – Gall bladder Cancer – used in 3 cases – favourable outcome in 1 patient, partial outcome in 2 patients – published in JACM 2012
• Psorinum 6 × triggers apoptosis signals in human lung cancer cells – increase in p53 expression, Bax expression, cytochrome c release, along with reduction of Bcl-2 level and caspase-3 activation were observed after Psorinum 6× treatment – published in Journal of Integrated Medicine – 2016
• In vitro studies of Psorinum 6x on several human cancer cell lines reveal its anti-cancer potential – published in IJHDR 2015
• Calc carb complex M8 – as adjuvant in Inflammatory carcinoma in dog – dog’s quality of life and survival rate was better as in this case surgery can’t be done – published in IJHDR 2011
• In vivo treatment with M8, a highly diluted tinctures complex, reduced the malignancy of a mouse melanoma model – published in IJHDR 2011
• Scale cor – Skin papilloma in Mice – reduction in genotoxic and DNA damages in bone marrow cells of Sec Cor 30-fed mice – published in EBCAM – 2011
• Chelidonium majus 30C and 200C in induced hepato-toxicity in rats – published in Homeopathy 2010
• Gelsemium – in vitro studies on human HeLa cells – 2010
• Clastogenic potential of Ruta graveolens extract and a homeopathic preparation in mouse bone marrow cells – Ruta 200C may induce genotoxicity in animals – published in Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2008
• Vaginal leiomyoma in a dog: case report – published in IJHDR 2008
• Ruta – Treatment with Ruta graveolens 5CH and Rhus toxicodendron 9CH may reduce joint pain and stiffness linked to aromatase inhibitors in women with early breast cancer: results of a pilot observational study – published in Homeopathy 2016
• Anti-proliferative effects of homeopathic medicines on human kidney, colon and breast cancer cells – producing cytotoxicity and a decrease in cell proliferation – published in Homeopathy 2013.

QoL studies

• Re-analysis of survival data of cancer patients utilizing additive homeopathy – benefit from additional homeopathic treatment until a survival time of up to 12 months after diagnosis – published in CTM 2016
• Subjective wellbeing of cancer patients improve significantly when adjunct classical homeopathic treatment is administered in addition to conventional therapy CTM 2015

Homeopathic Clinical tips

• Cautiousness & Anxiousness – Hyos (even undertakes repeated tests)
• Delusion Cancer, he has – Carcinocin, Ruta, Sabadilla, Spect, Verat
• Epistaxis – Lac can, Crotalus horrid us, Phytolacca, Kali bi
• Fear of death from cancer (even when the cancer is not confirmed) – Carcinosin
• For head and neck related complaints do consider prominent remedies for Diphtheria such as Diptherinum, Basptisia, Phytolacca etc.
• Heart palpitations – Crategus
• Hemorrhagic affections after Radiations – Lac can, Crotalus, Calendula, Echinacea
• Imperfect assimilation – Ferrum phos
• Leucocytosis – Kali nitricum
• Leucopenia – Lecithinum 3x, Five Phos 6x,
• Neuralgia – Radium brom
• Oedema post-surgery – China
• Pain in Neck and dry cough – Crategus, Lycopodium
• Palpitations post-surgery – Sepia (better by walking), Digitalis, Lachesis
• Post cancer treatments complications such as can’t open mouth – Causticum, Radium brom
• Post chemo-therapy complaints – Arsenicum album, Nux vomica
• Post radiation complaints – Kali mur
• Quality of Life improvement: Arsenicum album, Argentum nit, Carbo animalis, Opium (Fear extravagance), Gelsemium
• Rebelliousness – Merc sol, Nitric acid, Argentum nit,
• Sepia – Palpitations on rest and better by walking
• Silicea, Argentum nit – sand like sensation in eyes
• Sleeplessness – Kali phos, Carcinomas (Fear of cancer); Coffea, Hyoscyamus (Post diagnosis of cancer); Passiflora, Natrum mur (Crowding of thoughts especially post surgery)
• Stressful condition in doubtful diagnostic cases – Delusion – SABADILLA, STAPHYSAGRIA
• Suppurations tendency – Gun powder, Staphylococcinum,
• Thrombocytopenia & Neutropenia – Antim crud, China, Carica papaya, Crotalus, Five phos, TNT
• Thrombocytosis (Platelet increase) – Eup perf, Carica papaya, TNT
• Weakness – Abrotanum 6x, Silicea, Bambusa, Natrum mur, Ferreum phos 3x, Kali mur 6x, Iodum, Allium sativum (especially for improving heart function after cancer detection)
• Weight loss – Iodum, Natrum mur, Silicea, Abrotanum, Bambusa (Delusion born tired as if)

DISCLAIMER: These clinical tips are not medical endorsement or replacement to a doctor’s discretion of treatment. These tips are purely for information and discussion purposes. Please seek appropriate medical advice from your nearest medical / health professional.