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Mesothelioma Pain Management

Pain management is an important process after someone has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. In most cases, therapy options will largely depend on the stage and location of the cancer. Effective methods available to patients trying to manage mesothelioma pain include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other alternative therapies that are less invasive. Limiting pain can improve the quality of life and allow additional time to be spent with family and friends.

Pleural Mesothelioma Pain

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can become very debilitating once the cancer has reached an advanced stage of development. Due to the pleural thickening associated with pleural mesothelioma, patients often experience respiratory problems. Some of the most commons symptoms affiliated with pleural mesothelioma pain include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and painful breathing.

Medications for Pleural Mesothelioma

Doctors can prescribe a number of medications for patients dealing with pleural mesothelioma pain. The following medications are commonly used to relieve and control pain:

Mild Pain – Over the counter and prescription acetaminophen or NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are commonly used to alleviate mild pain for patients.
Mild to Moderate Pain – Opioids such as oxycodone, codeine and hydrocodone are prescribed for more severe pain when NSAIDs are not strong enough to manage the discomfort by themselves. Adjuvant medications may also be prescribed to alleviate mild to moderate pain. While these medications were developed for other medical uses, they have been found to relieve mesothelioma pain.
Moderate to Severe Pain – More intense pain is usually treated with a stronger dose of opioids, including morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl and hydromorphone.

Mesothelioma pain medications should be taken as directed by a physician. Pain medications may be a key part of a patient’s treatment and it is important to discuss all pain management options with your doctor as they arise.

Radiation, Chemotherapy and Surgery

A mixture of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery may alleviate mesothelioma pain by reducing the size of tumors or stabilizing their growth. Several surgeries are available that specifically reduce and relieve pain for pleural mesothelioma patients. Unfortunately, these treatments often end up being palliative rather than curative when a diagnosis has occurred during a late stage of development. Concerns About Pain Medication

A common concern for patients and families when taking pain medications is the possibility of addiction. Research has repeatedly shown that a very small percentage of cancer patients that are prescribed opioids become addicted. The results of a study that tested 24,000 patients who had taken the pain medications showed only seven became addicted to their medication. It is best to consult a doctor when attempting to determine the proper dosage and schedule for pain medications.

Alternative Pain Therapies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a number of alternative and complementary therapies for managing mesothelioma pain. While little has been done to study the effect of these methods, the inherent risks with taking part in them are extremely low. Some of the methods sanctioned by the NIH include behavioral techniques such as visualization and distraction, along with psychiatric techniques involving electronic stimulation, exercise, massage, biofeedback and hypnosis.

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