Homeopathic Medicine and Palliative Cancer Care

A Case Report

Abstract

Many Indian cancer patients who are incurable because of advance stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis try various complementary and alternative therapies for treatment and palliation. Little is known about the therapeutic efficacy, toxicity and therapeutic potentials of these alternative approaches. In this article I describe a 61 years old male patient who presented himself at our clinic with advanced inoperable gastric carcinoma. The option of chemotherapy was discussed with the patient and his care givers. In view of the nature of the disease and the little likelihood of response the patient did not consent for the same. The patient opted for an alternative homeopathic therapy to treat his cancer. The patient again visited our clinic after one year for checkup. On examination it was found that though there was no significant change in the gastric mass, but there was no evidence of ascites or lymphadenopathy. Liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, both kidneys and adrenal appeared normal. There was a significant clinical improvement in the patient and he was able to lead a normal life. I followed the patient for the next one year and found that there was no remarkable deterioration in his clinical condition. I feel that it may be possible that the alternative homeopathic therapy somehow may be responsible for arresting the cancer progression.