This document provides information about malignancy and cancer. It begins with definitions of malignancy, neoplasms, and tumors. It then discusses the history of cancer terminology dating back to Hippocrates and Galen. The rest of the document covers topics like the characteristics of normal cells vs cancer cells, types and risks of cancer, cancer symptoms and treatments, cancer staging systems, new developments in cancer treatment, side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the miasmatic understanding of cancer in homeopathy, and the scope and approach of homeopathic treatment for cancer.

1. MALIGNANCY
BY
Dr. Anit Acharya
Batch – 2013
Department of Materia
Medica

2.  Malignancy in Latin male meaning “badly”and –gnus
means “born”is the tendency of medical condition to
become progressively worse.
 Neoplasms is new growth of tissues that serves no
physiological actions.
 Tumour is clumping of neoplasmic cells.

3. Hippocrates (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) described several
kinds of cancer, referring to them with
the Greek word καρκίνοs karkinos (crabor crayfish).This name
comes from the appearance of the cut surface of a solid
malignant tumor, with "the veins stretched on all sides as the
animal the crab has its feet, whence it derives its
name".Galen stated that "cancer of the breast is so called
because of the fancied resemblance to a crab given by the
lateral prolongations of the tumor and the adjacent distended
veins".Celsus (ca. 25 BC – 50 AD) translated karkinos into
theLatin cancer, also meaning crab .

4. What Is Cancer?
 Cancer is a large group
of diseases (over 200)
characterized by
uncontrolled growth
and spread of
abnormal cells.*

5. Normal Cells Vs. Cancer Cells
 Lose control over growth and
multiplication
 Do not self-destruct when they
become worn out or damaged
 Crowd out healthy cells

6. Growth of Cancer Cells
 Size of cancer cells:
 One million cancer
cells = head of a pin
 One billion cancer
cells = a small grape
 230 = 1,073,741,824
= 1 billion cells
2-6 weeks
 Cancer cells reproduce
every 2-6 weeks.
2-6 weeks
2-6 weeks

7. TYPES OF TUMOURS

8. Types of Cancer
 Carcinomas
 Sarcomas
 Lymphomas
 Leukaemias
 Adenomas
 Often prefixed by the specific cell

14. Risks For Cancer
 Lifetime risk – the probability that an individual, over
the course of a lifetime, will develop cancer or die
from it
 Relative risk – measure of the strength of the
relationship between risk factors and a particular
cancer
 Smoking – 30% of all cancer deaths, 87% of lung
cancer deaths
 Obesity – 50% higher risk for breast cancer in
postmenopausal women, 40% higher risk in colon
cancer for men

17. Lung Cancer…..
 Since 1987, more women have died from lung cancer
that breast cancer
 Symptoms: persistent cough, blood-streaked sputum,
chest pain
 Treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, and
chemotherapy
 Prevention: avoid smoking and environmental tobacco
smoke

18. Breast Cancer…..
 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer (lifetime risk)
 Detection: mammograms, regular breast self-exams
 Symptoms: lump in the breast, thickening, dimpling, skin
irritation, distortion or tenderness
 Risk factors: family history, hyperplasia, long menstrual
history, obesity after menopause, oral contraceptives
 Treatment: lumpectomy, radical mastectomy, radiation,
chemotherapy
 Prevention: exercise

20. Colon And Rectal Cancers……..
 Risk factors: over 50 years old, obese, family history of
colon or rectum cancer or polyps, diets high in fats, low in
fiber, smoking, high alcohol consumption, lack of exercise
 90% of colorectal cancers are preventable
 Treatment: radiation, surgery, and possible
chemotherapy
 Prevention: regular exercise, a diet heavy in fruits and
plant-origin foods, a health weight, and moderation in
alcohol consumption

21. Prostate Cancer……
 1 in 3 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime
 Prostate is a muscular, walnut-sized gland the
surrounds part of the urethra. Its primary function is to
produce seminal fluid.
 Symptoms: nonspecific, weak or interrupted urine flow,
difficulty starting or stopping urination
 Risk factors: age, race, nationality, family history, diet,
lifestyle, and vasectomy
 Prevention: diet high in lycopenes, vitamin E

22. Skin Cancer…..
 Long term effects of sun exposure can result in skin
cancer
 Malignant melanoma, deadliest form of skin cancer
 Sun give off 3 types of harmful rays:
◦ UVA
◦ UVB
◦ UVC
 Prevention: limit exposure to harmful UV rays, drink
more fluids than usual, apply cool compresses to skin,
moisturize skin

23. Skin Cancer…..
 The ABCD’s of melanoma
(skin cancer):
◦ Asymmetry: one half is not like
the other
◦ Border: the edges are jagged or
irregular
◦ Color: the color is varied, tan, red,
black ect
◦ Diameter: the diameter is larger
than 8mm (the top of a pencil
eraser
A
B
C
D

24. Testicular Cancer…..
 Men between the ages 15-35 are at the greatest
risk
 Important to practice regular testicular self
exams
 Lance Armstrong Foundation “LiveStrong”
campaign to raise awareness

25. Ovarian Cancer…..
 Most common symptom is enlargement of the abdomen
 Risk factors include: family history, age, childbearing,
cancer history, fertility drugs, talc use in genital area,
genetic predisposition
 Prevention: diet high in vegetables and low in fat,
exercise, sleep, stress management, and weight control

26. Cervical and Endometrial (Uterine)
Cancer……..
 Pap test – cells are taken from the cervical region
 Risk factors:
◦ Cervical cancer: early age at first intercourse, multiple
sex partners, cigarette smoking, and certain STIs
◦ Endometrial cancer: age, endometrial hyperplasia,
overweight, diabetes, and high blood pressure

27. Other Cancers……..
 Pancreatic cancer – “silent” 4% 5-year
survival rate
 Leukemia – cancer of blood forming
tissues

29. Diagnosis and staging
 Clinical History
 Normal diagnostic procedures
◦ Scans, xrays
◦ Blood tests
◦ Biopsy
 Pathological staging
 Screening

30. Detecting Cancer
 The earlier the diagnosis the better the prospect
for survival
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
 Computerized axial tomography scan (CAT
scan)
 Prostatic ultrasound
 Regular self-exams, and check ups

33. TNM Staging
 T (a,is,(0),1-4): size or direct extent of the primary tumor
 N (0-3): degree of spread to regional lymph nodes
 N0: tumor cells absent from regional lymph nodes
 N1: tumor cells spread to closest or small number of regional
lymph nodes
 N2: tumor cells spread to an extent between N1 and N3.
 N3: tumor cells spread to most distant or numerous regional
lymph nodes
 M (0/1): presence of metastasis
 M0: no distant metastasis
 M1: metastasis to distant organs (beyond regional lymph nodes)

34. Other parameters.....
 G (1-4): the grade of the cancer cells (i.e. they are "low grade"
if they appear similar to normal cells, and "high grade" if they
appear poorly differentiated)
 R (0/1/2): the completeness of the operation (surgery-
boundaries free of cancer cells or not)
 L (0/1): invasion into lymphatics
 V (0/1): invasion into vein
 C (1-4): a modifier of the certainty (quality) of the last
mentioned parameter

35. Examples
 Small, low grade cancer, no metastasis, no spread to
regional lymph nodes, cancer completely removed,
resection material seen by pathologist - pT1 pN0 M0 R0
G1; this would be considered Stage I.
 Large, high grade cancer, with spread to regional lymph
nodes and other organs, not completely removed, seen
by pathologist - pT4 pN2 M1 R1 G3; this would be
considered Stage IV.
 Most Stage I tumors are curable; most Stage IV tumors
are not.

38. New Hope In Cancer Treatments
 Remove less surrounding tissue during surgery
 Combine surgery with radiation or chemotherapy
 Immunotherapy
 Cancer-fighting vaccines
 Gene therapy
 Stem cell research

39. Side-effects of chemotherapy…..
 * Hair loss
 * Nausea and vomiting
 * Infections (bacterial and fungal) of oral cavity.
 * Arrhythmia pericarditis and rarely cardiac ischaemia
and infarction.
 * Chemotherapy-induced pneumonitis.
 * Gonadal dysfunction
 * Secondary malignancy - usually in those treated for
Hodgkin's disease, paediatric cancers and breast
cancers. The chemotherapy given may lead to acute
non-lymphocytic leukaemia

40. Side-effects of radiotherapy….
 * Hair loss
 * Buccal mucositis, xerostomia and rarely osteoradionecrosis
when radiation is given to head and neck.
 * Pericarditis and rarely cardiac ischaemia and infarction.
 * Radiation pneumonitis
 * Gonadal dysfunction
 * Radiation-induced skin burns
 * Secondary malignancy - usually bone cancer

42. MIASM
 Dr. A.H. Grimmer quote "My experience has been that
there is not a case of Cancer without a tubercular
background. It growths on a tubercular soul. It is the miasm
where in the blending of all the other miasms results".
 disease has an evolution of miasmatic phase from Psora to
Syphilis, the same holds true for cancer. Hahnemann in his
Chronic diseases classifies cancer under Psora (here
actually he means the earliest pre-cancerous states).
Robert in his Principles and Art of Cure mentions cancer as
multi-miasmatic. I would like to classify as follows : (1) All
exophytic growths e.g. Warts, Dermoid cyst, Bony tumors,
etc. are syco-syphilitic in nature. (2) All ulcerative and
fungative growths are syphilitic in nature. (3) Whenever
cancer is accompanied by haemorrhage and secondary
infection it is due to presence of strong tubercular miasm

43.  The potencies suggested are ( as a general guideline ) -
high potencies for the precancerous phase and medium
and low potencies for the cancerous phase .
 In the precancerous phase , the results obtained with the
use of these medicines alone are good .
 In the cancerous phase , the results obtained with the use
of these medicines alone are very uncertain and cure is
extremely rare .

44. Scope of homoeopathy
 General Treatment of Cancer.
 This is composed of :
 1. Constitutional remedies.
 2. Cancer remedies.
 3. Drainage remedies.
 4. Specific nosodes.
 5. Anthroposophical remedies

45.  Homoeopathic treatment can be useful in cancer -
 1. To retard the progression of cancer
 2. To palliate the cancer pains .
 3. To cure precancerous state , and
 4. To oppose the ' general intoxication ' in a case of
confirmed cancer .

46.  Selection of the medicine
 There are two lines of action -
 1. General treatment - medicines given during the
precancerous phase ; the cancerous phase and after it .
 2. Local treatment - possible only during the actual
cancerous phase.

47. General treatment
 This comprises : a. Constitutional remedies
 b. Cancer remedies
 c. Drainage and canalisation remedies
 A. Constitutional or basic remedies ; These are the
polychrest remedies selected
 mainly on the basis of the mental and physical
general symptoms and to a
 limited extent on the basis of physical particular
symptoms .

48.  b. Cancer remedies
 The most habitual remedies :
 They have the most constant action on the tumoral
element as well as the general state ;
 Example : Sedum acre , Sedum repens , Scrofularia
nodosa , Sempervivum tectorum , Carbo animalis ,
Cundurango , Cistus canadensis , Hydrastis ,
Kreosotum, Ornithogalum , Phytolacca .
 ii. Remedies for pains Example : Arsenicum album ,
Nitric acid , Apis , Arnica , Bryonia , Calcarea acetica ,
Euphorbium , Magnesia phosphorica , Ruta .

49. iii. Tumour remedies
 Silicea and its satellites Silica acid , Calcarea :
Connective and interstitial tissue
 Baryta carbonica : Scleroed and indurated
tissues , especially breast adenomas.
 Aurum metallicum, Aurum arsenicum, Aurum
muriaticum natronatum : Indurated and
scirrhous forms of malignancy .
 Plumbum iodatum : Indurated and scirrhous
forms of malignancy.
 Selenium: Sarcomas

50.  The Calcareas : Lymphatic glands
 Calcarea fluorica : Connective tissue and glands.
 Aurum , Ruta , Silica , Symphytum : Osseous tissue
.
 iv. Several minerals and acids : The results with these
do not appear to be encouraging.
 Acetic acid , Carbolic acid , formic acid , Calcarea
iodata , Calcarea oxalica , Kali Cyanatum , Plumbum
iodatum , Cinnabaris , Carboneum sulphuratum , Ova
tosta , Arsenicum bromatum , Antimonium chloridum

51. c. Drainage and canalisation remedies
:
These remedies are supposed to drain the toxins
produced in the body.They are selected on the basis
of their local action and administered in material
doses , that is , one or two drops of a well prepared
Example :
 Lips : Cundurango .
 Tongue : Kali cyanatum ,
Sempervum tectorum, Galium aparine .
 Pharynx : Cistus canadensis .
 Oesophagus : Cundurango .
 Stomach : Carbo animalis ,
Cundurango , Hydrastis , Lycopodium, Kali
bichromicum.

52.  Pylorus and duodenum : Ornithogalum
 Intestines : Cundurango, Carbo animalis
Arsenicum album , Sedum repens , Petroleum.
 Caecum : Ornithogalum
 Simoid colon and rectum : Ruta , Scrofularia nodosa ,
Sempervivum tectorum .
 Anus : Cundurango .
 Liver : Cholesterinum , Lycopodium
, Phosphorus , Choline, Taraxacum , Chelidonium ,
Carduus marianus .

53.  Pancreas : Phosphorus .
 Uterus : Aurum m.n. , Kreosotum ,
Cinnamomum , Sepia .
 Breasts : Asterias rubens , Conium ,
Carbo animalis , Hydrastis, Sempervivum tectorum ,
Plumbum iodatum, Thuja.
 Testes : Aurum metallicum .
 Scrotum : Fuligo ligni

54.  Skin : Scrofularia nodosa , Cundurango , Galium
aparine Arsenicum album , Thuja , Cinnabaris , Petroleum , Kali arsenicum
, Radium bromide .
 Eye ( lids ) : Cundurango .
 Periosteum : Ruta , Symphytum, Phosphorus .
 Lymphatic glands : Carbo animalis .
 Glands : Scrofularia nodosa , Iodum, Calcarea fluorica
.
 Face : Thuja , Cinnabaris .
 Neck : Cistus canadensis , Mercerise ( parotids )

55. Local treatment
 The tinctures used most often by them are :
 All cancers : Sedum repens , Phytolacca , Scrofularia
nodosa Hydrastis . ,

 Stomach : Cundurango , Ornithogalum , Conium .
 Breast : Conium , Bryonia .
 Ulcerated cancers : Calendula .
 Ruta in case of cancer of the colon .
 Ornithogalum in a case of cancer of the stomach .
 Lobelia erinus in a case of cancer of the omentum
 The remedies for the ill-effects of radiotherapy are Cadmium iodide ,
Calcarea fluor , Fluoric acid , Phos. , Radium brom , Silica , Sulphur , X-
ray.

56. Cancer themes and personality
 the overwhelming high degree of cell division, with need for
control in order to survive
 feeling of chaos, disorder, and of losing control
 need for self control and to restore order
 little chance of success but some hope
 expected to fulfill a great demand which he is incapable of
doing
 making superhuman efforts and stretching oneself beyond the
limits of his capacity in order to survive
 failure is death and destruction
 continuous and prolonged struggle which seems to have no
end
 cancer people are a model of perfection, one with whom it is
easy to get along and difficult to find faults
 no rest or freedom from tension

57.  try hard to please others
 high level of performance
 often had demanding parents, who set up high
expectations, demanded quality and achievements, and
were moralizing and ethical
 or have a history of lack of closeness with one or both
parents, or a lack of closeness with spouse or others
who would normally be close

58. 10 Rules to Avoid Cancer
2. Don’t smoke.
3. Don’t smoke.
4. Avoid exposure to other known carcinogens,
including aflatoxin, asbestos and UV light.
6. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables several times a day.
7. Be physically active and avoid obesity.
8. Have vaccination against, or early detection/treatment
of, cancer causing chronic infections.
9. Have the right genes.
10. Have good luck !
5. Enjoy a healthy diet, moderate in calories,
salt and fat, and low in alcohol.
1. Don’t smoke

60. “In the battle of life,
When the wave and the
gale
Are around and about;
If the footing should fail
If thine eye should grow
dim, and thy courage
depart,
Look aloft and be firm and
be fearless of heart."

62. References
• Pathology..by harsh mohan
• APItextbook of medicine
• J.C.Burnett…curability of tumours
• J.H.Clarke..the cure of tumours by medicines.
• A.H Grimmer…the homoeopathic treatment
of cancer.
• Special regards to few facts from wikipedia…