Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer and frequently arises on the sun exposed skin of middle aged and elderly individuals. General risk factors associated with the disease are: age more than 50; male sex ; fair skin; location closer to the equator; history of prior non-melanoma skin cancer or human papilloma virus infection; high exposure to ultra violet light, chemical carcinogens and ionizing radiation; and chronic immuno-suppression or a scarring condition. A cumulative life time sun exposure and immuno-suppression are primarily believed to be the cause of this condition. A typical SCC lesion is a raised, pink-to-flesh-colored papule or plaque arising on sun exposed skin. Surgery, local chemotherapy, photo-dynamic therapy and radiation therapy are the standard line of treatment for this condition.

Low risk tumors are usually cured with appropriate surgical therapy; however there is a 40% risk of recurrence in such patients. In addition, high risk tumors are aggressive and spread to other parts of the body very fast. Ayurvedic medicines for SCC are indicated in such patients with a history of recurrence or of having high risk tumors. The aim of treatment is to treat the local tumor and prevent its spread to other parts of the body. Medicines used for this purpose are: Arogya-Vardhini, Gandhak-Rasayan, Triphala-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati and Punarnavadi-Guggulu. Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha and Chandraprabha-Vati are used in high doses to prevent the spread of the tumor.

Herbal medicines which act on the 'Ras' 'Rakta' and 'Mansa' dhatus (tissues) of the body are useful in the treatment of SCC. Indrayav (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Chandan (Santalum album), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Gokshur ( Tribulus terrestris), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) and Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) are useful in this condition.


Medicines like Suvarna-Parpati, Trivang-Bhasma, Suvarna-Raj-Vangeshwar-Ras, Abhrak-Bhasma, Heerak-Bhasma, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Samudrashosh (Argyreia speciosa), Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens) and Suvarna-Bhasma are used to boost the immune status of the body and improve the therapeutic response of other medicines.

It is important to note that SCC has an initial high cure rate with surgery, but recurrence and spread of the tumor are common pitfalls of this condition. A regular follow-up of such patients on a long-term basis is therefore mandatory.

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3 Types of Skin Cancer Explained

Skin cancer is a condition that develops as a result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. This prolonged exposure then causes the skin cells to grow in a rapid, out of control way ultimately leading to the formation of a cancerous tumour on the skin. Approximately 60,000 people in the UK develop this condition each year. However, what many people do not know is that not all skin cancers are the same. There are actually three different types; Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Malignant Melanoma. In this article article I will be discussing these three in greater detail.

1) BASAL CELL CARCINOMA (BCC):- This is the most common form of skin cancer and accounts for 75% of all diagnoses. As the name suggests it begins when the process of cell division goes wrong in the basal cells of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and a cancerous tumour forms. This tumour often looks like a red ulcer on the skin which may bleed, crust or itch and is often given the nickname 'rodent ulcer'. Basal cell carcinoma typically appears on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun such as the arms, legs and face. Although it is the most common type of skin carcinoma it rarely kills. However, it can disfigure the skin if left untreated for a long period.

2) SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA:- This type of skin cancer accounts for between 15% and 20% of skin cancers. It begins when the squamous cells of the epidermis start to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way which ultimately leads to the development of a cancerous tumour. This tumour often resembles a hard red lump or a flat, scaly, scab like area. Like BCC, squamous cell carcinoma often appears on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun and rarely kills. However, if left untreated it can spread to other areas of the body.

3) MALIGNANT MELANOMA:- This type of skin cancer represents less than 10% of diagnoses. It develops in melanin producing skin cells called melanocytes. Malignant melanoma begins when the process of cell division goes wrong in these melanocytes and they start to divide and multiply uncontrollably leading to the development of a tumour. This tumour has a large, brown mole like appearance and can appear on your arms, back, leg or face. Although it resembles a mole there are subtle differences, Malignant melanomas are often a different colour to normal moles and they are often larger and more uneven. Unlike BCC and SCC, this type of cancer is very dangerous if not treated quickly and accounts for the majority of skin cancer fatalities.

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