Oncology (Integrative)

Integrative Oncology at Apollo AyurVaid combines evidence-based Ayurveda with modern cancer care to enhance healing, improve quality of life, and support recovery.

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Why is ICC Important?

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects millions worldwide. Cancer growth is influenced by numerous factors, such as the tumor’s blood supply, the presence of hormones or growth factors, chronic inflammation, metabolic imbalances, immune system disturbances, and toxins, all of which create a microenvironment conducive to tumour growth.

Cancer treatment isn’t just about fighting the disease but supporting the patient’s overall well-being. While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation form the primary modalities of treatment, they often end up producing drastic side effects such as fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, mucositis, burning sensations of the skin, and immune suppression. These, in turn, affect functioning and impair the patient’s ability to tolerate these treatments.

AyurVAID’s Integrative Cancer Care (ICC) combines Ayurveda therapies with conventional management to promote functional health, side-effect management, and long-term survivorship.

Ayurveda scope

Why Opt For AyurVAID’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Care?

Non-Conflicting- Our treatment plan integrates seamlessly with your primary cancer care. We work in close coordination with your oncologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists.
Complementary Care- We ensure our treatments complement your primary line of therapy to enable better tolerance, reduced side effects, good quality of life, and longer survivorship.
Regular Monitoring and Updates- Progress is measured using standardized scales and timely lab investigations. Regular follow-ups and updates are shared with the primary oncology team.

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What Are Key Areas of AyurVAID’s ICC

1. Primary Risk Prevention

-Identify and address key risk factors like inflammation, metabolic imbalances, hormone dysregulation, and toxin build-up.

-Early intervention in high-risk groups such as:

Individuals with a family history of cancer, especially first-degree relatives

Women with early menarche or late menopause (linked to breast and ovarian cancers)

Individuals with genetic predispositions (e.g., BRCA mutations)

Individuals with obesity, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions

Individuals with long-term exposure to carcinogens such as smoking, alcohol, radiation, etc.
2. Secondary Prevention

-Managing pre-malignant and early-stage lesions conservatively.

-Managing comorbidities that may contribute to cancer progression.

3. Adjuvant Care

-Reducing cancer treatment side effects such as fatigue, neuropathy, pain, and mucositis.

-Improving tolerance to chemotherapy and radiation.

-Enhancing immune response to reduce infection risk

4. Tertiary Prevention

–Addressing residual side effects such as fatigue and sleep disturbances

-Managing comorbidities associated with weight, impaired sugar control, heart health, and improving overall quality of life.

-Managing functional challenges associated with different types of cancer such as pulmonary rehabilitation and musculoskeletal impairments.

5. Survivorship: For patients in remission or who are fully cured

–ICC emphasizes functional recovery, prevention of relapse by addressing risk factors, and long-term well-being through dietary, lifestyle, and psychological support.

-Managing late-stage treatment effects like lymphedema, bone loss, and hormonal imbalances.

6. Palliative Care:

– Pain and symptomatic relief

-Psychosocial support for patients and families

7.End-of-Life Care

-Ensuring maximum quality of life in the final stages.

-Prioritizing symptom management and emotional well-being for both patients and caregivers.

Major Cancers Covered

Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Esophageal and Stomach Cancer
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Pancreatic Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Urinary Bladder Cancer
Haematological Malignancies
Brain Tumors
Lung Carcinoma
Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer

Assured relief from joint pain, stiffness and numbness with Precision Ayurveda

AyurVAID’s 4-Step Approach for Integrated Cancer Care (ICC)

Comprehensive Disease Evaluation
A thorough assessment of the patient’s health status, medical history, genetic predispositions (e.g., Lynch syndrome, BRCA1/2 mutations), tumor characteristics, severity, and comorbidities ensures a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.
Ayurveda Diagnosis & Assessment
Ayurveda provides a deep understanding of cancer by identifying underlying causative factors (Nidana Panchaka) and disease pathways (Samprapti) through classical diagnostic methods:
- Ashta Sthana Pariksha (8-fold examination)
- Dasha Vidha Pariksha (10-fold examination)
- Srota Pariksha (Assessment of body channels)
Patient-Oriented Goal Setting
Collaborating with patients and oncologists to define clear health goals, expected outcomes, and personalized strategies fosters active participation, ensuring a well-coordinated approach to treatment and recovery.
Personalised
ICC translates these goals into a customized, evidence-based treatment protocol, addressing the patient at a whole-person level, considering physical, mental, and emotional health.

AyurVAID’s 4-Step Approach for Integrated Cancer Care (ICC)

1. Chronic Inflammation and Tumor Microenvironment

Chronic inflammation, metabolic imbalances, and environmental factors disrupt the immune system creating a tumor-friendly environment.

Ayurveda associates chronic inflammation with Ama (toxins) accumulation, dosha imbalances, and Srotoavarodha (channel blockages), leading to uncontrolled tissue growth. Vata imbalance drives metastasis, Pitta triggers inflammation and oxidative stress, while Kapha promotes fluid retention and excessive cell proliferation, fostering tumor progression.

AyurVAID’s Precision Treatment Protocol

Ayurveda plays a crucial role in managing cancer at the cellular level by addressing its hallmarks and enablers, such as immune evasion, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.

Reducing Tumor-Promoting Inflammation

Amapachanam: Reduces systemic inflammation by eliminating metabolic toxins

Agnideepanam: Enhances digestion and metabolism, optimizing nutrient absorption

Modify the tumor microenvironment to reduce proliferation

Srotas Shodhanam: Detoxifies body channels, improving circulation and oxygenation

Rasayana Therapy: To enhance immunity & tissue strength

2. Nutrition & Metabolic Imbalances

Cancer and its therapies disrupt the body’s metabolic balance, leading to overnutrition or undernutrition, which impacts patient outcomes. Poor dietary intake, inflammation, metabolic imbalances, and hormonal changes contribute to weight fluctuations, loss of muscle mass, immune dysfunction, and disease progression.

In Ayurveda, impaired digestion ( Agni Dushti ) produces Ama (toxins) that get accumulated in the body, creating a toxic environment conducive to cancer cell growth and spread. Further, it also compromises the immunity of cancer-afflicted patients.

AyurVAID’s Precision Treatment Protocol : Addresses undernutrition and overnutrition

Our personalized dietetics, fasting protocols, and gut-centric therapies support metabolic flexibility and enhance treatment responsiveness. Better gut health can positively impact the immune system and reduce systemic inflammation and tumor growth.

Ayurveda-Based Integrative Care for Carcinoma Esophagus: A Case Study

Apollo AyurVAID Hospitals successfully integrated Ayurveda in the supportive care of a 57-year-old female patient with Carcinoma Esophagus (Grade 2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma), undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Treatment Outcomes

Parameter	Before Treatment	During Treatment	After Treatment	1 Week Post-Discharge
Abdominal Pain (VAS 0-10)	On and off	On and off	Absent	Absent
Dysphagia	Severe	Severe	Improved	Improved
Fatigue	High	Moderate	Low	Low
Appetite	Irregular	Moderate	Moderate	Improving
Weight (kg)	40.9	39.5	35	37
WBC Count	3800	5700	11,500	Stable
Sleep Quality	Poor	Fair	Good	Good

Scientific Evidence

Key Studies Supporting Ayurveda Oncology Care

Bendale, Y et al. (2024). Exploring the potential of Ayurveda for developing an evidence-based integrative model of cancer care in elderly patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology. This study showed that Ayurveda therapy improved health-related Quality of life, performance status, anxiety, and depression.
Buch, Z. (2024). Classical Ayurveda management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A case report. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. This study showed significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life parameters following Ayurveda intervention.

Key benefits

Causes

Symptoms

Pathogenesis

AyurVAID’s Approach

Treatment Plan

Scientific Publications

FAQs

References

1. Bendale, Y et al. (2024). Exploring the potential of the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, for developing an evidence-based integrative model of cancer care in elderly patients with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology.

2. Zankhana Buch (2024). Classical ayurveda management of TCH (taxane, carboplatin, and herceptin) based chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy – A case report. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.

3. Singh, R. (2002). An assessment of the ayurvedic concept of cancer and a new paradigm of anticancer treatment in Ayurveda. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 8(5), 609–614.

4. Zankhana. M. Buch M.D (2014). Role of Ayurveda in Integrated Cancer Rehabilitation: AyurVAID’s Integrated Cancer Rehabilitation Program (ICRP) – A Role Model (Kayachikitsa), International Ayurvedic Medical Journal.

5. Joffe L, Ladas EJ. Nutrition during childhood cancer treatment: current understanding and a path for future research. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2020 Jun;4(6):465-475.

6. Integrative Pathways to Wellness.

7. JAIMS article view.

8. Exploring the Impact of Ayurvedic Treatments on Cancer Therapy – ResearchGate.

9. Europe PMC article – PMC10307688.

10. Europe PMC article – MED/36529638.

Role of Ayurveda in Oncology

Ayurvedic Perspective on Cancer Pathogenesis

Tri-Dosha Imbalance
Vata Dosha: Disrupts cellular integrity, leading to uncontrolled proliferation of cancerous cells and their spread to distant parts of the body (metastasis)
Pitta Dosha: Causes inflammation, forming toxins, and accelerating abnormal cell division.
Kapha Dosha: Leads to abnormal mucus and fluid accumulation, and supports overgrowth of cancer cells.
Impaired Digestion (Agni Dushti): Weak digestion produces Ama (toxins) that accumulate in the body, creating a toxic environment conducive to cancer cell growth and spread. Further, it also compromises the immunity of cancer-afflicted patients.
Bodily Channel Obstruction (Srotoavarodha): Accumulated Ama blocks srotas or channels that deprive tissues of oxygen and nutrients, hindering tissue regeneration, thus promoting abnormal cancer cell growth.
Tissue Regeneration Disruption (Dhatu Vaishamya): Impaired Dhatvagni (tissue metabolism) leads to the formation of tumours as a result of tissue destruction and abnormal growth, as the cellular function gets disrupted and abnormal cell proliferation evades apoptosis (programmed cellular death) and grows into a mass (tumor).
Immunity Impairment (Ojo Vyapath): Toxin accumulation and inflammation deplete Ojas (vital energy that helps the body to fight), compromising the immune response and allowing cancer progression.