Long-term disease free survival [DFS] of stage IIIB malignant melanoma patient treated post-surgery with herbal treatment modalities

Abstract

Objective: Long term survival of high-risk malignant melanoma is difficult to achieve in spite of radical surgery, adjunct chemotherapy, radiotherapy and biological therapy. The aim of this case presentation is to demonstrate effectiveness of herbal combination in achieving long term DFS of a high-risk melanoma patient. Case presentation: We reports here a case of a patient with Stage IIIB malignant melanoma with palpable axillary lymph node. After surgical removal of only the primary lesion he did not opt for radiotherapy or chemotherapy or interferon therapy. Instead, he opted to take combination of herbal medicines at ICTRC, Pune. After the initial period of Ayurvedic treatment for 5 months, the palpable axillary lymph node enlarged. It was subjected to second surgery. The histopathological report of partial second surgery revealed residual melanoma with extensive exudate consisting of lymphocytes and histiocytes indicative of intense immune reactivity. No further recurrence or metastasis is noted for 20 yrs. The patient is continued to take herbal medicines and detoxifying Ayurvedic treatment modality called Panchakarma and is in Disease Free State with good quality of life and fit physical condition. Conclusion: In this case improvement in immune status and quality of life is achieved using herbal medicines and Panchakarma treatment in absence of known anti-cancer treatments. Further clinical studies on large cohort and at the level of basic research are warranted. *Correspondence to: Vineeta Deshmukh, Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre, Wagholi, Pune – 412207, Maharashtra, India, E-mail: ictrcpune@gmail.com