Abstract

AYURVEDIC INTERVENTION IN COMBATING CHEMO-RADIOTHERAPY-INDUCED OTOTOXICITY: A TWO - CASE SHORT COMMUNICATION

Dr. Viva M. Vasu*

ABSTRACT

Cancer treatment commonly includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. While these approaches have substantially improved survival, many patients continue to experience late adverse effects that affect long-term quality of life. Ototoxicity is a recognized complication of platinum-based chemotherapy and head-and-neck radiotherapy and may present as hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. This short communication describes two cancer survivors who developed persistent auditory symptoms after chemo-radiotherapy. One patient had Oncocytic carcinoma of the ethmoidal sinus, while the other was treated for HER2-positive breast cancer. Both experienced tinnitus with hearing impairment despite conventional management and subsequently received individualized Ayurvedic treatment. In Ayurveda, such treatment-related complications may be understood as conditions in which therapy administered for one disease givesrise to another, a situation that does not correspond to the concept of Shuddha Chikitsa(pure treatment).Clinical management was therefore planned after assessing the patient's Bhesajakshapita(state of depletion after treatment) status, the predominance of Doshas, and the presence of Srotovaigunya(defective channels). Treatment included Antah Parimarjana Chikitsa (internal medications), Bahi Parimarjana Chikitsa (external therapies), and appropriate Pathya Ahara(dietary regulation). Following treatment, the first patient reported complete relief from tinnitus, accompanied by objective improvement in hearing, with the tympanogram changing from Type B to Type AB after approximately 8–9 months. The second patient also experienced a noticeable reduction in both the frequency and intensity of tinnitus. Although based on only two cases, these clinical observations indicate that individualized Ayurvedic management may serve as a useful supportive approach for chemo-radiotherapy-induced ototoxicity and may contribute to improved quality of life in cancer survivors. Larger, well-designed clinical studies are needed to further evaluate its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: Ototoxicity, Bhesajakshapita, Tinnitus, Shuddha Chikitsa, Cancer survivorship, Ayurveda.