Alternative Kidney Cancer Treatment: An Introduction
Some people use alternative treatments for
kidney cancer to ease stress or to reduce side effects and symptoms of the disease. In most cases, people with kidney cancer will combine alternative treatments with the more standard options: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or biological therapy.
Types of Alternative Treatment for Kidney Cancer
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Herbal products
- Vitamins or special diets
- Visualization
- Meditation
- Spiritual healing.
Some of these methods may interfere with standard treatment, and combining alternative and standard treatment options may even be harmful. It is important to note that some types of alternative treatments are expensive, and health insurance may not cover the cost.
Alternative Kidney Cancer Treatment for Pain
Pain with kidney cancer is a potential problem for people with the disease. This can be caused by a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs. Pain can also be a side effect of kidney cancer treatment. The healthcare provider or a specialist in pain control can relieve or reduce this pain in several ways, which include:
- Medicine
- Radiation
- Nerve block.
The healthcare team may also suggest alternative kidney cancer treatment for pain, such as massage, acupuncture, or acupressure, along with other approaches. Also, the patient may learn to relieve pain through relaxation techniques, such as listening to slow music or breathing slowly and comfortably.
(Click Kidney Cancer Pain for more information about treatment options.)
