Ovarian+Cancer

==**Definition:** == 20% of all gynecologic neoplasms occur in the ovaries. They usually remain undetected until they have extended or metastasized to other areas. Change in size noted in a routine pelvic exam is often the first sign and an enlarged ovary in a post-menopausal woman should be highly suspect.
 * IBIS:**

==**Etiology:** == Ovarian tumors are the fifth greatest cause of death in U.S. women. They may be serous, mucinous, adenocarcinoma, and unclassified. They have usually progressed far before diagnosis is made.

==**Somatic therapies:** == • aerobic exercise: a physically active lifestyle has been associated with lower incidence of reproductive cancers in women


==**Nutrition:** == eating principles: • medium length alkaline fasts, depending on condition of patient, under physician's supervision (see Fasting in materia medica)

therapeutic foods » Stagnant Liver Qi or Stagnancy in the Liver channel: • foods that invigorate the Qi, Liver foods, sour foods, Dispersing foods, foods that open channels • citrus peel • liver-cleansing foods: beets, carrots, artichokes, lemons, parsnips, dandelion greens, watercress, burdock root • foods rich in Magnesium • foods rich in Vitamin A

fresh juices: • carrot (Walker, p. 129) • carrot, beet, and cucumber (Walker, p. 129) • lemon juice in warm water • carrot and spinach (Walker, p. 156) • carrot, spinach, turnip, and watercress (Walker, p. 129)

recommendations for all cancers: • seaweeds, mushrooms (Chinese black, Shiitake), figs, beets, beet tops, papaya, mung beans, licorice, sea cucumbers, carrot, garlic, walnut, lychee fruit, mulberries, asparagus, pumpkin, burdock, dandelion greens, white fungus, taro roots, pearl barley, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables (Ni, pp. 108-109)

specific remedies: • soup of black or ling zhi mushrooms and white fungus, three times daily (Ni, pp. 108-109) • boil together mung beans, pearl barley, adzuki beans, and figs (Ni, pp. 108-109) • dandelion, burdock, and chrysanthemum flower tea (Ni, pp. 108-109)

avoid: • meat, alcohol, hot sauces, spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, salty foods, chicken, coffee, cinnamon, anise, pepper, dairy products, high fat foods, smoking, constipation, stress • acid forming foods, tomatoes (Marz)

==**Botanicals** == • Dioscorea villosa: spasmolytic useful in relieving ovarian pain (Heron) • Mitchella repens: improves circulation and relieves congestion and irritation of pelvic organs (Heron) • Trifolium pratense: a traditional cancer remedy used by Thomsonians (Mitchell, p. 42)

nutritive herbs: Support the immune system and woman's defenses to better withstand chemotherapy, radiation, surgery if these are chosen. Avoid alcohol, stress, smoking, drugs, etc. • Avena sativa • Medicago sativa • Trifolium pratense • Urtica spp.

see: uterine cancer for general cancer support

==**Chinese Formulae** == • Zeng Ye Tang plus chrysanthemum flower (ju hua), trichosanthes root (tian hua fen), glehnia (sha shen), dioscorea (shan yao) and moutan bark (mu dan pi): Large Intestine Dryness: oral side-effects of radiation therapy: dryness that is worse at night, irritability, dry tongue, rapid thin pulse (Bensky and Barolet, p. 166) • Dang Gui Ji Xue Teng Tang: Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency): leukopenia or thrombocytopenia during radiation therapy or chemotherapy (Bensky and Barolet, p. 251) • Hoelen Five Herbs F. (Wu Ling San): side-effects from radiation treatment. (Hsu, 1980, p. 516; Yeung, p. 244; Bensky and Barolet, p. 174) • Ji Xue Teng Qin Gao Pian (patent): increases white blood count. (Zhu, p. 103) • Ci Wu Jia Pian (patent): Kidney Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Kidney Jing Xu (Essence Deficiency): enhances immune system, helps protect body from radiation; inhibits metastasis. (Zhu, p. 284) • He Che Da Zao Wan (patent): Kidney Yin Xu (Deficiency) (Zhu, p. 286) • Ling Zhi Feng Wang Jiang (patent): Qi Xu (Deficiency) with Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) (Zhu, p. 262) • Lindera and Cyperus F.: Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency) (Hsu, 1980, p. 369; Dharmananda, 1986, p. 227) • Fu Ke Zhong Zi Wan (patent): Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) (Zhu, p. 253) • Blue Citrus (patent): (Dharmananda, 1990, p. 38) • Chih-ko and Curcuma (patent): all types of tumors (Dharmananda, 1990, p. 41)

==**Acupuncture** == after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns: Kidney Qi Xu (Deficiency); Kidney Jing Xu (Essence Deficiency); Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency); Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency); Xue Yu (Blood Stasis); dysfunction of the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel); dysfunction of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel)

» illustrative combinations: • GB-41 and TW-5: open the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel) for which problems of the ovary are a symptom of dysfunction, esp. when unilateral • Sp-4 and PC-6: open the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) for which reproductive problems are a symptom of dysfunction • UB-62 and SI-3: open the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) which transports Yang and for which gynecological problems are a Xu (Deficiency) symptom • Kd-6 and Lu-7: open the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Motility Vessel) which transports Yin and for which gynecological problems are a Shi (Excess) symptom • Kd-13, UB-67, Kd-7, GB-37, Sp-6, Kd-2, GV-4 and Lv-3: influence the ovaries (Worsley, 1975, p. B-20; McWilliams, et al, Lesson 31, p. 258) • St-28, CV-9, Sp-9 and St-36 for ascites (Shanghai, p. 186) • St-36, GV-14 and LI-4: return the white blood cell count to normal (leukopenia after chemotherapy) (Finkelstein, p. 20) • CV-3 and Sp-6: regulate the Qi function of the Lower Warmer and the function of the genital organs - Sp-6 sends Qi up; CV-3 sends it deep (Finkelstein, p. 84)

==**Homeopathy** == • Alumen: with obstinate constipation; 200C every week; often left ovary • Apis mellifica: stinging pains like bee stings; on right; < from coition; > lying on right side; ovarian tumor with stinging, cutting and throbbing pains; < from standing, walking, palpitation; pains often extending to right breast; tumor hard and on right side; ovarian tumors; patient passes more urine than is normal; menses irregular, lasting a day or two • Arsenicum album: burning or tensive pain in ovary; tumors painful or painless; ovarian tumor; with pain in leg, cannot keep foot still; tumor on right side, filling entire abdominal cavity; could not stoop to dress her feet • Calcarea carbonica: bearing down in pelvis, pain in uterus or right ovarian region extending down thighs • Colocynthis: stabbing pain in right pelvis; walks bent with hands pressed upon painful side; pain extends down thighs and down femoral nerve; a firm, elastic tumor between uterus and vagina anteriorly and rectum posteriorly, completely occluding vagina and rendering defecation very difficult • Conium maculatum: induration and enlargement of ovaries with lancinating pains; indurations, especially of a scrofulous nature or from injuries • Fluoricum acidum: right side with continuous grinding, worrying pain and sense of weight; increased necessity to walk about, to exercise, without fatigue, regardless of heat in summer or cold in winter • Graphites: tumor, size of an orange, in right iliac fossa, also similar one in left, both hard, round, slightly movable; not painful to pressure, nor producing inconvenience from weight; enlarged ovaries, which become more tender and more enlarged every time she takes cold or gets her feet damp; swelling and hardness of ovaries after menses • Hepar sulphur: tendency to suppurate; great sensitiveness • Iodium: bearing down pain, esp. right ovary; great sensitiveness of right ovarian region during or after menses; induration and swelling of ovaries, pain commencing in right ovary, passing down broad ligament to uterus; dull pressing, wedge-like pain as if a dull plug were driven from right ovary to womb • Kreosotum: after chill, menses suppressed for six months; unable to lie on either side; dull pain in region of ovaries, could not bear strong pressure; morning urine colorless, brownish-yellow, acrid leukorrhea; constipation; aphthous or inflammatory state of external parts; symptomatic of ovarian disease • Lachesis: pains boring or burning, > with start of menses; pains shoot from left to right; ovarian tumors, left ovary first affected, tending to right; ovarian tumors with profuse and prolonged menses; great sensitiveness in lower abdomen; severe aching pain, anteriorly in thighs, in branches of anterior crural nerve • Palladium: induration and swelling of right ovary with soreness and shooting pains from navel to pelvis; heavy weight in pelvis > lying on left side < standing and on motion; > by rubbing • Podophyllum peltatum: pain, right side with heat down thighs, > from pressure; shooting pain in right ovary before and during menses; ovarian tumor with pain extending upward to shoulder; ovarian tumor, size of a hen's egg to half the size of a fist • Psorinum: left ovary indurated from a blow, sensitive knotty hump above the tight groin; cutting in the left loin; cannot walk without assistance • Thuja occidentalis: burning pain when walking; must lie down; cutting, squeezing; shooting pain in left ovary; severe pain in ovaries as a result of an overphysiological action

==**Subtle Support** == • notes: A#, D#, E, F, G

• chords: C minor, D# minor (Gimbel, p. 116)


==**Mind/Body** == related materia medica listings: cancer patients: personality characteristics cancer correlations: psychoneuroimmunology

• Ovaries represent points of creation; creativity. (Hay, 1984, p. 178) • Female problems represent a rejection of the feminine principle; denial of the self; rejecting femininity. (Hay, 1984, p. 165) • Nursing old wounds and shock from a partner; blow to the feminine ego; building remorse. (Hay, 1984, p. 164, 187) • Loss of sexual function post-surgery is more likely to be related to the patient feeling unattractive, to lack of information, or to lack of support in dealing with postoperative psychological reactions than surgical loss of sexually responsive tissue. Many sexual problems will be solved by just the chance to discuss them; patients need to hear that their sexual concerns are completely normal. (Locke, 1986, p. 259) • Comprehensive cancer management should include members of the medical discipline who provide holistic and humanistic treatment. One team member should be both a qualified sex therapist and psychotherapist. This individual should be introduced to patients at the onset of treatment, be involved in a preoperative assessment, during hospital stay, and during the post-operative period. (Locke, 1986, p. 260)

Chinese psychophysiology: • Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; provides the nourishing and stabilizing qualities of Yin and Water that balance the Yang and the Fiery qualities; produces the Marrow which generates the spinal cord, "fills up" the brain, and possibly manifests through the immune system; carries the constitutional endowment from the parents; manifests through the reproductive function, particularly the internal aspects of the reproductive organs, and governs the process of passing on life to offspring; and displays the effects of sexual dissipation, overwork, aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress. » Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance. » Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch. » Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).

• Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); controls the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, especially the contractility of the muscles and moistening of the sinews; has an intimate relationship with the genitals and Lower Warmer; and reflects emotional harmony and movement. » Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement. » Liver Xu (Deficiency) signs include frigidity; pain in thighs, pelvic region, and throat; ready tendency to "the blahs" (Seem, p. 28); timidity; depression; irritability; vertigo; pruritus; dry eyes, skin, and/or tendons; asthma; aching at the waist; hernia; and difficulty raising head up and down. Liver Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) predisposes to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). » Tumors and other masses are considered a form of Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) and thus ultimately are derived from Qi Stagnation. Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216) Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) often begins with Qi Stagnation.