Palliative Care - Pain Management of Malignant Mesothelioma
If a person’s malignant mesothelioma has been deemed incurable, treatment for the pain and suffering is still available. Surgery and radiation therapy can reduce the size of a tumor and bring some relief. Another procedure that is frequently done is thoracentesis, or using a tube or needle to drain the build-up of pleural fluid that is causing pain. This procedure can be done repeatedly as needed. A similar procedure can be done for abdominal mesothelioma.
Pain is also treated with medicine. What medicines are used is a decision that will be made by the physician, based upon the patient’s medical history and the level of pain. A hospitalized patient might receive morphine intravenously while another patient takes analgesics by mouth. A combination of medicines, including steroids, might also be used. Pain is a very personal issue, and trial and error may well be needed before arriving at what works successfully.
Other methods of pain control besides direct administration of drugs also exist. Some of these involve direct treatment to the nerves, either blocking them through surgery or anesthesia, or stimulating the nerves with non-pain signals. Treatment to the nerves works best on localized pain, and there are potential side effects. Stimulation of the nerves, either through massage or through electrical nerve stimulation, provides some short-term relief.
Patients can also try methods of pain control involving their whole body and mind. Acupuncture is considered an effective treatment for post-surgical pain or for nausea caused by chemotherapy, and might provide relief from other cancer pain as well. Meditation, physical therapy, and other mind-body relaxation exercises, especially when used alongside conventional medications, can help alleviate the pain and increase one’s feelings of emotional well-being. When exploring these options for pain management (some of which may be covered by insurance but others which will not), the patient should choose a practitioner as carefully as he or she chooses a medical doctor.
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