UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Oral malignancy one of the commonest cancers among male in India is caused due to extensive use of smokeless tobacco. The oral cancer scenario in India is very different from the cancer problems from other parts of the world in term of challenge and magnitude. Majority of cancer patients have clinically advanced disease when they first present for treatment. Patients with advanced malignant disease world over and in India try various complementary and alternative medicines for treatment and palliation. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of a poly herbal alternative cancer therapy ‘HUMA' in patients suffering from oral malignancy.

Patients and Methods: ‘HUMA' was orally administrated to 40 oral cancer patients. In 30 (75 %) patients conventional treatment could not be initiated because of financial problems. Twenty two (55%) patients presented with a T4 cancer.

Results: Complete regression of the cancer was observed in 5 (12.5 %), marked remission in 7 (17.5 %) and partial regression in 5 (12.5%) patients respectively. No adverse effects of this alternative therapy were observed in any of these patients. One patient has so far completed 5 years' disease free survival. Seven patients relapsed after stoppage of therapy.

Conclusion: The results indicate that ‘HUMA' was effective in causing regression of oral carcinoma. In absence of conventional therapy we believe that the tumor regression observed in some patients may be due to ‘HUMA'. Proper evaluation of this alternative cancer therapy is thus required.