Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments in 2024

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming for you and your loved ones. Traditional treatments, like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are still the main resources in mesothelioma management. Despite this, many patients may seek alternative treatments for mesothelioma to help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

While the following is not a substitute for seeking medical advice, it may help you gain a brief understanding of possible alternative treatments to consult a professional about. It is always wise to speak to your doctor before starting or advocating for any new treatment. Medical professionals have the most knowledge on emerging alternative treatments and whether they are right for you.

Mesothelioma Alternative Treatments

While traditional treatments can help stop the rate at which mesothelioma spreads through the body, there can be agonizing symptoms associated with it. Some alternative treatments can be helpful for mesothelioma patients.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points of the body. Some people suggest that acupuncture can help manage pain, nausea, and fatigue, which are all symptoms of mesothelioma.

Energy Therapies

People who advocate for energy therapies as a mesothelioma treatment believe that vital energy flows throughout the body. These therapies aim to balance that energy to reduce a patient’s stress and anxiety while promoting general well-being. Studies are still being done to determine if energy therapies can boost the immune system, improve quality of life, or reduce side effects for cancer patients.

Reiki and therapeutic touch are examples of energy therapies that have been studied on mesothelioma patients.

Medical Marijuana

In some places, medical marijuana has been prescribed to manage mesothelioma-related symptoms. Symptoms like nausea, pain, and loss of appetite have been managed well with medical marijuana. Always consult with your doctor about the benefits and legality of a medical marijuana prescription for your situation.

Meditation and Yoga

Studies have shown that these related mind-body practices can promote relaxation, stress reduction, and quality sleep in people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Nutrition

Some professionals attest that nutrition can have a vital role in properly managing the bodily symptoms related to mesothelioma. There is a belief that eating a balanced, nutritious diet can be crucial to maintaining strength, weight, and mental health during mesothelioma treatment.

You can consult your doctor about finding a registered dietitian to create a personalized plan that meets your specific nutritional needs.

Touch Therapy

Touch or massage therapy has been shown to provide relaxation, pain management, and anxiety reduction in some mesothelioma patients.

Emerging Therapies

Researchers are exploring new treatment options for mesothelioma, and you may be able to consult with your doctor about whether they can make one or more of them available to you.

• Epigenetic Therapy: This therapy aims to modify gene expression without altering genetic code.
• Gene Therapy: This therapy involves introducing healthy genes into cancer cells to try to stop their uncontrolled growth.
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy involves using drugs to target specific abnormalities in cancer cells, hopefully enabling a more precise treatment approach.
• Photodynamic Therapy: This light-based therapy may be able to destroy cancer cells.
• Vaccines: Some researchers have attempted to develop vaccines to help the immune system fight mesothelioma cells.

An Important Reminder

It is important to remember that alternative therapies are not substitutes for traditional mesothelioma treatments. People living with mesothelioma should always discuss complementary therapies with their doctor to ensure the safety and validity of the treatment for their situation.

Finding Hope and Support

A mesothelioma diagnosis can change your life, but there is hope. Traditional, emerging, and current alternative treatment options may help patients live longer and experience greater well-being. Researchers are working tirelessly to find new treatment options for symptom management and possible cures for your cancer.

FAQs

Q: What Are Alternative Cancer Treatments for Mesothelioma?

A: There are alternative cancer treatments for mesothelioma. However, it should be made clear that these therapies can be helpful, but they do not treat or cure cancer. These alternative cancer therapies seek to ease symptoms and treat mesothelioma side effects. The most common mesothelioma alternative cancer therapies include:

• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine
• Nutrition
• Touch therapy
• Energy therapies
• Yoga
• Medical marijuana

Patients can request alternative therapies at any time during their mesothelioma treatment.

Q: What Is the Newest Treatment for Mesothelioma?

A: There are several emerging treatments for mesothelioma, although there is still no cure for the cancer. Some people hope that, through extended research, an emerging treatment option may eventually mean a cure. Patients seeking an emerging treatment should consult a medical professional. A few emerging treatments for mesothelioma include immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, targeted therapy, and vaccines.

Q: How Do You Slow Down Mesothelioma?

A: Mesothelioma is a cancer that is typically discovered at an advanced stage, which can make it difficult to slow down, but slowing it down is possible. With early-stage mesothelioma, if you are well enough to have it, surgery is a possibility. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both are also an option to slow mesothelioma.

With advanced mesothelioma, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy can help shrink mesothelioma and reduce symptoms. With these treatments, some people have lived weeks or months longer.

Q: Has Anyone Ever Beat Mesothelioma?

A: Beating mesothelioma is difficult, as there is no cure for the cancer. Even so, many patients have been able to slow their mesothelioma with treatment. For some people with this cancer, coupling traditional and alternative treatments results in living years longer than an unfavorable prognosis determined they would.

Some alternative treatments that have been seen to help include optimal nutrition, body-stress reduction techniques, and palliative therapies.

Get More Information About Alternative Therapies

While traditional treatments remain the essential approach to reducing the spread of mesothelioma cancer cells, alternative, complementary therapies can be a vital piece of a holistic treatment plan. Consulting your doctor before beginning any new therapy is important to ensure that the treatment you seek is right for your situation. Your doctor should be able to guide you toward safe options that may improve your quality of life. Contact them before anyone else.

The future of mesothelioma treatment may be brighter. Researchers actively investigate innovative approaches to one day minimize symptoms or possibly cure mesothelioma. While there is no current cure, there is hope for a future where mesothelioma is more manageable.

If you need compensation to pay for any form of medical treatment for mesothelioma, contact Wallace & Graham today.