Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy (ART) leads to tumor regression and increased survival in chemo‐intolerance high‐grade stage IV follicular lymphoma: A case study

Abstract

Key clinical messageAyurveda Rasayana Therapy (ART) may serve as a safe and effective alternative treatment option for chemo‐intolerance high‐grade stage IV follicular lymphoma patients for increasing survival and tumor regression.AbstractFollicular lymphoma (FL), also called follicle center lymphoma/nodular lymphoma, observed in the B lymphocytes (B‐cells). Available therapeutic options for follicular lymphoma are associated with various side effects and, patients with co‐morbidities can seldom tolerate the chemotherapy regimens. Rasayana therapy not only resulted in tumor regression and improved survival but also dealt with the adverse effects of previous chemotherapy drugs. Herein, we present a case of a 74‐year‐old female diagnosed with Follicular lymphoma who had undergone three cycles of chemotherapy with unresolved disease outcome and serious adverse events. The patient refused to undergo further cycles of chemotherapy. Her family decided to start Ayurveda treatment for her as an alternative therapy for cancer care. On thorough case taking considering the Ayurveda parameters personalized Rasayana therapy as planned for the patient with an aim for improvement in Quality of Life (QoL), increasing survival, and optimizing body's immune response to fight the tumor. After treatment of 8 months, this case demonstrated partial tumor response as evidenced by PET‐CT‐scan. Quality of Life as evaluated using FACT‐G was also seen improved besides significant improvement in physical performance status evaluated using ECOG. The patient showed a survival of 3.5 years after starting Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy (ART). Rasayana therapy was well tolerated by the patient. This case report indicates the potential role of ART as a therapeutic option in geriatric cancer patients who are not eligible for cytotoxic interventions. Case warrants further systematic investigation to evaluate the potential role of ART in the treatment of geriatric cancer patients.