A neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from nerve cells and most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands. It can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and pelvis, where groups of nerve cells exist. Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children aged 5 or less. The cause for this condition is not known, though a family history is a recognized risk factor. The signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma vary depending upon which part of the body is affected; and are usually due to the tumor size, pressure on surrounding organs, spread of the tumor, spinal cord compression and tumor secretions. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the standard line of treatment for this condition.

Conventional treatment is not always successful in completely eradicating the tumor. Ayurvedic treatment can therefore be given as additional therapy to treat the tumor. The medicines most commonly used are: Kaishor-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, and Sinha-Naad-Guggulu. Other medicines which can be used are: Ekangveer-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhvans-Ras, Sameerpannag-Ras, Agni-Tundi-Vati, Maha-Yograj-Guggulu and Yograj-Guggulu. Herbal medicines which can be used are: Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Dashmool (Ten roots), Erandmool (Ricinis communis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica).

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can have serious side-effects like skin rash, hair-fall, diarrhea, vomiting, and an increased susceptibility to infections. Ayurvedic medicines can help in reducing or avoiding such complications. Medicines useful for this purpose are: Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Shankh-Bhasma, Shankh-Vati, Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Panchamrut-Ras, Kamdudha-Ras, Laxadi-Guggulu, Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras, Gandhak-Rasayan and Manjishthadi-Churna. Medicines like Suvarna-Sameerpannag-Ras, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani and Heerak-Bhasma are used to improve immunity and help reduce tumor size.

Ayurvedic treatment can thus be used to safely improve the therapeutic response and overall prognosis in neuroblastoma.


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