Aromatherapy

There are essentially two categories of therapy for cancer patients like those with mesothelioma cancer. Clinical therapies, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are likely the most medicinally beneficial. However, this is not to say that other, complementary therapies are not important as well. These complementary therapies may not be able to cure the disease, but will often treat the holistic wellbeing of the person. Cancer patients, such as those with mesothelioma, often take advantage of these services. One of the more common complementary therapies used by patients with asbestos cancer is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is not for all patients and offers no cure for the disease. However, when used in conjunction with other more traditional therapies, aromatherapy has helped many cancer patient's lives much more manageable as they battle their disease.
Aromatherapy, as a therapy, is a relatively recent phenomenon in the alternative treatment of cancer patients, but its uses can be traced back thousands of years in other capacities. The idea of the therapy is to stimulate the senses and perceptions in such a way to create a relaxing and calm environment. The senses are incredibly related to a given person's levels of anxiety. Therefore, when the senses are relaxed it is possible to ease levels of stress and anxiety in some people. Using certain essential oils, these scents trigger emotional ease, which can be highly valuable for a patient battling terminal illness.
In some cases, aroma therapy will be coupled with massage therapies, which can ease the entire body in both sensory perception and muscle relaxation. In certain trials, certain patients have experienced an easing of symptoms related to chemotherapy, such as nausea and fatigue, when subjected to controlled aromatherapy environments. These trials were not clinical in nature and may not demonstrate the same results in all patients.
It is important to keep in mind with most alternative therapies that they are strictly based on personal preference and results will vary greatly from one patient to another. It is also important to consult with any doctors that a patient may be working with before engaging in any complementary therapies. Although beneficial, the patient needs to be conscious of the goals of the traditional therapies first and ensure they are compromised.

Acupuncture

Acupuncturist inserting an acupuncture needle into the "Lung Meridian" for optimal lung function

Acupuncture is not only an ancient methodology of pain control but is also an avenue toward healing changes with respect to hormones, digestion, brain function, immune response, etc. Acupuncture was first implemented thousands of years ago in China. Acupuncture consists of the very strategic insertion of tiny needles into predetermined "acupoints" on the body. The placement of needles is very specific in an effort to ease physical pain and restore balance and calm to the soul. The ancient Chinese believed that the appropriate placement of these tiny needles could provide a variety of medical benefits.
Although acupuncture may seem to be an unconventional method of pain management, it is very popular in the United States. Acupuncture is so widely used, in fact, that the Food and Drug Administration has classified acupuncture needles as "medical devices" and has approved acupuncture as a treatment method for various health conditions.
Individuals turn to acupuncture for various health concerns, and many cancer patients, including mesothelioma sufferers, rely on acupuncture to manage the discomfort that is a result of their debilitating disease. Mesothelioma cancer inflicts great pain on those who suffer from the disease, and acupuncture is often a very effective method of lessening and controlling this pain. Several clinical studies have been conducted during which malignant mesothelioma patients receive a combination of traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, along with acupuncture. The patients that have participated in such studies report that the inclusion of acupuncture as a means of pain management was quite successful, as many of these individuals were able to forego some of their traditional pain medication.
In addition, studies have shown that cancer patients who incorporated acupuncture into their mesothelioma treatment strengthened their immune systems and also experienced a decrease in the uncomfortable effects of chemotherapy. These patients felt less fatigued, maintained a healthy weight, and experienced less nausea during the chemotherapy sessions.
In general, alternative treatments, like acupuncture are safe for the majority of people. Common side effects associated with acupuncture include soreness at the insertion site or a feeling of lightheadedness after an acupuncture session, but these symptoms were quite minimal. The vast majority of cancer patients who experienced acupuncture believe that they benefited greatly.

Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment Options

There are many options for treatment upon receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, may be the very first option that a physician will recommend. These, however, are not the only options, and many individuals suffering from mesothelioma choose to couple the traditional forms of mesothelioma treatment with alternative options.
Alternative treatments that may benefit individuals who suffer from asbestos cancer include:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is often used as a palliative therapy, involving the insertion of very narrow needles into the skin at specific pressure points. This has been proven to relieve pain in many individuals suffering from a wide variety of ailments, including mesothelioma.

Aromatherapy

This method of therapy involves the use of aromatic oils, plants, and other substances to be used in conjunction with massage and or baths. These fragrances can result in a heightened mood, which can promote good health and pain relief.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is an alternative therapy than can help cancer patients deal with the physical and emotional challenges that they often experience during treatment.

Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback, also known as mind-body therapy, can help individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma manage the pain that is often associated with the disease.

Bowenwork

Bowenwork can help elicit the relaxation response in mesothelioma cancer patients to help lessen the side effects associated with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is an alternative therapy used to help mesothelioma cancer patients manage pain while going through conventional treatments like chemotherapy.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy is an alternative treatment that can help manage pain and the side effects of more conventional treatments for mesothelioma.

Dance Therapy

Dance therapy is an expressive method of treatment that helps patients connect with the emotional issues that exist when dealing with a serious illness like mesothelioma cancer.

Emotional Freedom Technique

The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is used as a complementary therapy to other conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments to help relieve pain and anxiety in patients.

Feng Shui

The Chinese practice of Feng Shui recommends making changes to a cancer patient's environment to enhance the flow of Qi. This complementary therapy can support mesothelioma cancer patients throughout their mesothelioma treatment.

Healing and Therapeutic Touch Therapy

Healing Touch Therapy is an emerging therapy that is becoming more widely used by patients battling cancer like mesothelioma. This therapy invokes the relaxation response in patients and can help lessen the negative side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments.

Health Coaching

Health Coaching can help mesothelioma patients enjoy better quality of life, lessen pain and stress and make important lifestyle changes that can help speed up recovery from their cancer treatment.

Herbal & Nutritional Supplements

Many natural herbs have natural medicinal aspects which have been used to treat seemingly incurable ailments. Many times, nutritional Supplements work in conjunction with herbal remedies to provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals to fight off infection and other illness.

Homeopathy

Many cancer patients, including those battling malignant mesothelioma, have turned to homeopathy because it is a natural alternative to aggressive conventional cancer treatment drugs and can help manage the adverse side effects associated with them.

Hypnotherapy

Guided hypnosis sessions can have substantial positive effect on a patient undergoing treatment for cancer, including mesothelioma. For this reason, hypnosis is now being increasingly integrated into alternative cancer treatment regimens.

Light Therapy

Light therapy is a complementary therapy that some cancer patients find helpful to throughout the course of their conventional treatment to help reduce pain, stress and anxiety.

Lymph Drainage Therapy

Manual lymph drainage therapy is a technique that uses very gentle manipulation to help reduce swelling in the body after surgery or radiation treatment in mesothelioma cancer patients.

Manual Therapy

Integrative manual therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of therapy that can be very helpful for cancer patients looking to ease pain and anxiety from their illness.

Massage

Massage therapy is the practice of hands-on physical manipulation of the body's soft tissue. Massage can be both relaxing and pain-relieving. Massage methods include Acupressure, Anma, and Balinese, all of which have differing effects on the body. Massage is often used during treatments for certain health conditions, like cancer, to ease muscle tension and induce relaxation.

Meditation

Meditation is the process of moving into deep relaxation. It is therapeutic in the sense that it can help patients develop a calm mind to make sound decisions and be at peace with health conditions they may have, including cancer like mesothelioma.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a complementary therapy than can help alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment as well as help reduce both chronic and acute pain.

Myofascial Therapy

Myofascial therapy can be used by cancer patients, including those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, to help manage the pain that sometimes accompanies traditional cancer treatment.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is an alternative paradigm of medicine that focuses on nature's remedy and the body's intrinsic ability to heal itself. Naturopathy favors a holistic approach to treating illnesses like mesothelioma through the use of mineral, diet, and lifestyle-based remedies.

Nutritional Resources

Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can prove to be an important factor in the treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a complementary therapy that mesothelioma cancer patients find helpful for reducing stress, fatigue and some of the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy.

Personal Fitness and Training

Maintaining some level of movement can be a tremendous help to cancer patients undergoing treatment and can lead to improved outlook and quality of life. There are personal fitness trainers that are specifically trained to provide this type of support to cancer patients.

Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, utilizes dogs and other animals as a soothing and relaxing modality for patients battling mesothelioma and other cancer.

Reflexology

Foot reflexology is an alternative treatment therapy designed to help mesothelioma cancer patients manage pain.

Reiki

Reiki promotes a deep sense of relaxation and well-being and is an alternative therapy that many mesothelioma cancer patients are now using as part of their overall treatment plan.

Sound Therapy

Some cancer patients welcome the use of more non-invasive therapies, like sound therapy, that can help alleviate the stress and pain that is often associated with more traditional forms of cancer treatment.

TENS Therapy

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation is used as a palliative care option. An electrical stimulation is directed through different areas of the body resulting in pain relief which can increase the level of endorphins. TENS Therapy is typically administered by a physical therapist, but can also be done at home if a patient has the necessary documentation for TENS equipment.

Thermography

Thermography, which is a type of medical imaging, can help detect problems in the body, like mesothelioma cancer, and can also aid in monitoring the healing process.

Yoga

Yoga is a combination of meditation and movement. Yoga is of Hindu origin and is designed to promote a heightened sense of oneness between body and mind, inducing relaxation and contentment.

Why should I consider alternative treatment?

When paired with traditional treatment methods, alternative options can be an important component of a mesothelioma treatment plan. These alternative methods are most helpful in controlling pain and maintaining balance and peace within an individual's mind and body. Many patients find treatments, such as massage or meditation, to be a welcome distraction from the ongoing cycle of hospital visits, medication, and general stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.
It is very important to consult with your physician before pursuing any new form of treatment. A doctor will be able to determine whether or not a patient is healthy enough to incorporate alternative treatment practices into their already-established treatment plan.

Mesothelioma Brachytherapy

Also known as "internal radiation therapy", brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment that targets a tumor or the area around the tumor with concentrated radiation that is implanted directly at the affected region of the body. Often used for mesothelioma patients, it kills fewer healthy cells than traditional radiation and also causes fewer side effects.
Brachytherapy for mesothelioma cancer patients is often used after surgery to remove any remaining asbestos cancer or may be used in tandem with chemotherapy. There are two types of brachytherapy that mesothelioma doctors generally consider.

• Permanent - This kind of treatment involves the implantation of tiny seeds of radioactive material in or near the tumor. With permanent brachytherapy, the seeds remain in the body even after they stop emitting radiation.
• Temporary - With this type of brachytherapy, radioactive seeds or rods are implanted for a pre-determined amount of time and are then removed. The length of time depends on the tumor and what the doctor is hoping to accomplish.

Like traditional external beam radiation, brachytherapy is a mesothelioma treatment generally performed in an outpatient setting, and though the procedure may sound complicated, it takes less than an hour to complete from start to finish.
When the patient enters the treatment room, he is given a light sedative and the area where the seeds will be implanted is numbed. Next, the seeds are inserted with a catheter or needle. The radiologist generally uses a CT scan or other imaging device to help him determine where to implant the seeds. After all is complete, the patient is generally free to return home.
Side effects of brachytherapy may include swelling, bruising, and mild pain. Individuals who recently underwent brachytherapy are advised to stay away from others who may be most susceptible to the negative effects of radiation, including pregnant women and small children.

Mesothelioma Pleurodesis

Several medical conditions including malignant pleural mesothelioma can cause lymphatic fluid to accumulate between the lining of the chest wall (parietal pleura) and the lining of the lungs (visceral pleura). This is known as pleural effusion; symptoms include dyspnea (shortness of breath) as well pain due to the pressure exerted on the body's organs.
Pleurodesis is a treatment for patients that have received a pleural effusion diagnosis. A chemical substance (usually talc) in injected into the space between the pleural membranes using a large needle or a thoracoscope (a tube that enters the chest). This causes irritation of the pleural membranes, which become inflamed and bond together as a result, eliminating this space so that fluid cannot accumulate. Pleurodesis is not a treatment of the mesothelioma cancer itself however.
Pleurodesis may be performed at the bedside or in the operating room, depending on the condition of the patient. When done as a bedside procedure a local anesthetic is administered. During the procedure, mesothelioma doctors will insert a large needle into the chest cavity. When this mesothelioma surgery is performed in the operating room, it is done under general anesthetic with the use of video-assisted thoracoscopy, which helps the surgeon in guiding the needle.
In both cases, the tip of the needle is inserted into the pleural space between the membranes and attached to a drainage tube. This drainage is done slowly in order to avoid a drastic reduction in blood pressure. Once the excess lymphatic fluid is removed, the doctor uses the needle in order to inject the talc solution into the pleural space. This drain is clamped in place for an hour; afterwards, the doctor may attach the drain to a suctioning device in order to ensure that the pleura layers bond properly.

Mesothelioma Pleurocentesis

Mesothelioma patients experience many uncomfortable symptoms associated with their disease. One of the most debilitating symptoms of pleural mesothelioma is the build-up of fluid in the pleura space around the lungs. This collection of fluid makes it very difficult to breathe and also can cause severe pain. It greatly impacts the quality of life for the patient and can make it difficult to do every day tasks. Although there is no known cure for mesothelioma cancer, this type of treatment can relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
The best way to relieve this discomfort is to have the fluid removed by means of a pleurocentesis. Also known as a thoracentesis, this type of mesothelioma surgery can be performed as many times as necessary and is done in an outpatient setting, in most cases.

What to Expect

Before this procedure is performed, the patient will probably undergo a CT scan or some other sort of imaging test so that the mesothelioma doctor can determine the amount of fluid present. After that, an appointment will be scheduled for the procedure.
During the pleurocentesis, the patient sits up and generally leans on a table. The doctor cleans and numbs the area where a long, thin needle will be inserted to draw out the fluid, generally between the ribs. Little pain is felt during the procedure though the patient may experience a feeling of pressure. Once an ample amount of the fluid is removed, the needle is withdrawn and the area is covered with a bandage. The procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes total, depending on the amount of fluid to be removed. However, the patient may remain longer for monitoring purposes.
Once sent home, the patient will be instructed to rest for at least 24 hours in order to avoid complications, which could include bleeding or infection. In very rare cases, pneumothorax - the collapse of the affected lung - could occur.

Mesothelioma Pleurectomy

Pleurectomy is a procedure in which the mesothelial lining of the lung and chest cavity is removed. Surgery is typically performed by thoracic or cardiothoracic surgeons and may involve concurrent resection of the pericardium (mesothelial lining of the heart) or the peritoneum (mesothelial lining of the abdominal cavity). Each of these internal structures performs a similar function and is composed of similar cells.
Patients may undergo pleurectomy for any number of conditions, including malignant pleural mesothelioma, pleural effusion, or trauma. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer and relatively asymptomatic in its earlier stages.
One of the primary symptoms of mesothelioma is pleural effusion, a condition that is created when fluid excreted by mesothelial cells builds up and puts pressure on the lung and chest wall. While pleurocentesis may be used to reduce fluid buildup and relieve symptoms, often full pleurectomy is recommended to provide more sustaining patient comfort. Pleurectomy is particularly common in concert with more extensive procedures, including pneumonectomy, extrapleural pneumonectomy, and other cardiothoracic resections.
During surgery, an incision is made in the area where the disease is located. The surgeon then removes the pleura. In some cases, diseased tissue from the affected lung is also removed (pneumonectomy).
Pleurectomy is an invasive procedure that will typically require a total anesthetic. Following surgery, the surgeon will conduct a post-operative interview during which they will likely recommend deep breathing and frequent changing of bandages to prevent infection.