Pain Management
There are several palliative therapy options available
to individuals suffering from malignant mesothelioma.
The goal of these treatments is not to cure patients
of cancer, but to reduce their suffering. Each of the
three traditional treatment methods - surgery, chemotherapy,
and radiation therapy - can also be used for the purpose
of pain relief. For example, surgical procedures like
thoracentesis and pleurectomies can help reduce the amount
of fluid in the chest, easing the pain that mesothelioma
patients may suffer. Similarly, if chemotherapy or radiation
therapy is used to help reduce tumor size, the patient
may also experience a decrease in the amount of discomfort
he or she is experiencing.
In addition, drug therapy is often used to help relieve
pain for individuals with mesothelioma. This includes the
use of opioids, non-opioids, and adjuvant analgesics. Relaxation
therapy, biofeedback, physical therapy, and other treatments
may also be suggested by the patient’s physician
to help with the pain and discomfort of malignant mesothelioma.
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