Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments Options

Mesothelioma is a deadly and fatal type of cancer caused by inhaling fibers of asbestos. It is different from lung cancer in that the cancer cells attack the lining of the lungs; not the lungs themselves. With a long gestation period being typical of the complex disease, cases of mesothelioma keep surfacing in thousands even almost 30 years after the ban on asbestos. In addition, the survival rate after mesothelioma diagnosis is rather short. Typically, the most followed treatment is on the lines of conventional cancer treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation or a combination of these.

Alternative treatment options for mesothelioma

As an understanding of this disease is growing, so is the search for alternatives to treat this disease; that is, new cures are being explored. Although the most widespread treatment includes conventional mesothelioma treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation or a combination of these, some non-traditional methods are also in use.

Effective alternative treatments for mesothelioma

Anti-angiogenesis drugs are part of chemotherapy, but they are different from the conventional treatment in that they aggressively target only the cancerous tumors and do not kill the noncancerous cells. The methodology followed is stimulation of the patient’s immune system through the cancer vaccines and destroying the infected cells only.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy injects a drug in the vein that makes the cancer in the body more sensitive to light. A special light is used during surgery that highlights the cancerous cells making surgery easier. This therapy is found to be effective in the early stages of chest mesothelioma.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Therapy aims at pain relief. Low voltage electric impulses are delivered to the nerve endings through electrodes placed on the skin, either on the location of pain or along the known nerve pathway. Lead wires emanating from the electrodes are connected to a small, battery-powered generator that emits a milli-amp (one thousandth of an ampere) of electricity. This stimulates the nerves and prevents pain signals from reaching the brain. As a result, the body may be stimulated to produce its own natural morphine-like substance, and the patient feels the pain less and suffers less. TENS has minimal side effects even with repeated usage, is non-addictive, and may be used by anyone undergoing excessive pain. It may not be termed a cure but is a management of the symptoms of pain arising out of a medical condition or side effects of treatment.

What mesothelioma alternative therapies are

Alternative therapies also include other, unconventional ways of treatment. While these may not be followed in large numbers, they have been seen to provide relief to patients. Most importantly, alternative mesothelioma therapies profess to have no side effects. Since mesothelioma is a cancer that gets detected only in advanced stages, very often it is too late to treat the patient effectively. Any treatment that may be followed is not allowed sufficient time to take effect. With such cases, alleviation of suffering and easing the end become paramount. In this scenario, alternative therapies are practiced with some measure of success although the cure cannot be documented or achieved.

Other mesothelioma alternative cures

The therapy that treats mesothelioma patients by using natural sources is named homeopathy . Reportedly, Iscador derived from the plant mistletoe is a part of the homeopathic treatment. Iscador supports the augmentation of the body’s immune system as an herbal extract.

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It works on the principle of stimulation of specific “energy points” on the human body. Good health, according to this system of medicine, involves a proper balance of the positive and negative energies in the body: Yin and Yang. Pathways in the body along which these energies flow are called ‘meridians.’ Pain is the result of a blockage in the meridian and acupuncture points identified at the crossroads of these paths are pricked with a needle to remove the block. Like TEN, it is more a palliative science and deals with pain management rather than cure of the disease.

A combination of physical postures and breathing techniques used as a form of exercise are intended to restore and maintain a sense of health and well-being is called yoga. This is also considered an alternative or complementary form of treating mesothelioma.

Other treatments for mesothelioma include supplementing the diet with food rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, intake of cow or shark cartilage may be advised. An herb supplement called Essaic is also used. Followers of the Bach Flower Remedies recommend aromatic treatment. Metabolic therapy has also been tried with some success. Among the rest, use of faith healing, crystal therapy, and mesothelioma massage has been reported. Some of these remedies have been followed for generations but do not have enough scientific literature or data to support them.