Alternative Treatments
Examples of alternative treatments that may be used to lessen
mesothelioma pain include:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure.
Patients may also learn to relieve pain through relaxation techniques, such as listening to slow music or breathing slowly and comfortably.
Radiation Therapy
High-energy rays can help relieve pain associated with mesothelioma by shrinking the tumor. Radiation therapy can be administered with or without surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Nerve Block
The doctor may inject alcohol into the area around certain nerves around the lung to block the mesothelioma pain. This procedure is known as a nerve block.
Mesothelioma Pain: A Summary
It is possible that a person with mesothelioma may experience pain. However, in most cases, mesothelioma pain can be controlled with medicines, alternative treatments, and (in rare cases) radiation or a nerve block.
Communication is an important aspect of dealing with mesothelioma pain. Your doctor and nurse will not know how much pain you are experiencing unless you tell them. You also need to tell them which medicines or treatments are working and which ones are not. With your help, your doctor and nurse will try to determine why you have pain and the best way to treat it.
If you have any questions about mesothelioma pain in your particular situation, please ask your doctor, nurse, social worker, or pharmacist for more information.
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