Conceptual Study of Anukta Vyadhi – Oral Cavity Cancer with special reference to Mukhagata Roga

Abstract

Cancer is known as one of the most dreaded diseases globally as well as in India. Cancer as a single disease is not mentioned in any of the Ayurveda classical literature, but diseases having similar conditions like Dushta Vrana, Dushta Granthi, Dushta Arbuda, Dushta Nadivrana etc. have been described in Ayurveda classical texts. Mukhagata Roga have been described in Sushruta Samhita, Charak Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, Yoga Ratnakar and Madhava Nidan. To understand the Nidan of oral cavity cancers according to Ayurveda, we have to understand the Hetu, Dosha Dushti and Samprapti causing the specific Mukhagata Roga. The different ‘Vyadhi Roopa’ or ‘Vyadhi Lakshana’ depends on the predominance of the Vikruta Dosha. In ‘Mukha Pradesh’ (Oral cavity) too, various diseases and symptoms are seen due to vitiated Doshas which resemble to Arbuda and can be correlated to oral cavity cancers. For the study of oral cavity cancers with an Ayurvedic perspective, available references from modern medicine like texts, articles, journals as well as Ayurveda literature viz. Bruhat Trayi, Madhav  Nidan, Yoga Ratnakar were collected and analyzed in a systematic manner.