Abstract
M.Tech. (Homeopathy)
Fibroadenoma of the breast is a common, benign condition (Dixon et al., 1998) and is the most common benign tumour found in the breast (Engedal et al., 1998). It presents as a small, round, discrete, mobile, non-tender, palpable, solid mass in the breast (Hams, et al., 1996). A fibroadenoma may double in size every six to eight months during its growth phase (AIle et al.,
1996). Surgery is the only allopathic option available for treatment offibroadenoma of the breast (Beers et al., 1998). . The study design is a doubfe blind, randomised, placebo controlled pilot study testing the efficacy of a Homoeopathic remedy, Phytolacca decandra 15CH, on the treatment of fibroadenoma ofthe breast in pre-menopausal women aged between fifteen and thirty-five years. Thirty-six subjects took part in the study. Twenty-nine subjects completed the study. Clinical evaluation, ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast made the
fibroadenoma diagnosis. Subjects. underwent a breast examination, filled in a questionnaire and had their case histories taken. The questionnaire and the ultrasound were repeated at the end of the study to determine any changes in the presenting symptoms and the size ofthe fibroadenoma. Subjects started treatment the day after the first consultation. Medication was taken in the form of one tablet sublingually twice a day, half an hour before breakfast in the morning and half an
hour before dinner in the evening. The treatment period was for sixty consecutive days.
The results of this study show that the Homoeopathic remedy, Phytolacca decandra, has a
definite statistically significant effect on women who have fibroadenoma ofthe breast.
In the Experimental Group 69% of the subject's fibroadenomas showed a decrease in size
compared to 36% in the Placebo Group. There was a statistically significant decrease in breast
pain experienced 'by the Experimental Group after treatment, while the Placebo Group showed
no change. The Experimental Group showed a 0% development of new fibroadenomas and a
decreasing trend to the fibroadenoma surface area. The Placebo group showed a 20%
development ofnew fibroadenomas an~ an increasing trend to the surface area.
Interesting, unexpected, statistically significant findings were that the remedy also: corrected
hormonal imbalances in the female reproductive system by regulating both the menstrual flow
and the menstrual cycle, improved dry cracked nipples, reduced joint and arthritic symptoms
especially lower back pain and stiffness, decreased pruritis, decreased the appearance of boils on
the skin and stopped new additional fibroadenomas from developing.
It is suggested in this study, that the Homoeopathic remedy Phytolacca decandra may act as an anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF is released by a number of cells in the body and is known to be produced by some tumour cells (Bucci, 2001). TNF in turn causes the release of IL6
(Almerigogna et al., 1994). Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels
have been linked to inflammation and the presence ofjoint and arthritic symptoms. TNF and IL6 are both implicated in rheumatoid arthritis. One of the four necessary criteria needed for a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis to be made is .the presence of morning stiffness around the joints lasting at least one hour (Austen, 2000). This symptom is commonly found in the subjects participating in this study and the Experimental Group shows a statistically significant decrease
in this symptom after treatment with Pyhtolacca decandra while the Placebo Group shows no statistical change. This opens the way for a whole new field of study into Phytolacca decandra being an anti Tumour Necrosis Factor and offers the scientific community an opportunity for further research, especially in the areas of inflammatory, autoimmune diseases and cancer research...