Alternative Treatments for Brain Cancer: An Overview
Some people use alternative
brain cancer treatment to ease stress or reduce side effects and symptoms. In most cases, people will combine alternative methods with the more standard forms of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy).
Types of Alternative Brain Cancer Treatment
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Herbal products
- Vitamins or special diets
- Visualization
- Meditation
- Spiritual healing.
Some alternatives may interfere with standard treatment, and combining them with standard options may even be harmful. It is important to note that some types of nontraditional treatments are expensive, and health insurance may not cover their costs.
Recommendations for Those Considering Alternative Treatments
Patients should discuss the possible benefits and harmful effects of alternative
brain cancer treatment with their doctor prior to trying them. Questions to ask your doctor about such options include:
- What benefits can I expect from this approach?
- What are its risks?
- Do the expected benefits outweigh the risks?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- Will this alternative treatment change the way my brain cancer treatment works?
- Could this alternative treatment for brain cancer be harmful?
- Is this approach under study in a clinical trial? If so, who sponsors the trial?
- Will my health insurance pay for this approach?
