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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffVery little research has been done on complementary and alternative brain tumor treatments. No alternative treatments have been proved to cure brain tumors. However, they may help you cope with the side effects of your brain tumor and its treatment. Talk to your doctor about your options.
Some complementary and alternative treatments that may help you cope include:
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Meditation
- Music therapy
- Relaxation exercises
References
- What you need to know about brain tumors. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/brain. Accessed April 18, 2012.
- Adult brain tumors treatment (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/adultbrain/healthprofessional. Accessed April 18, 2012.
- Bradley WG, et al. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7506-7525-3..X5001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-7506-7525-3&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 18, 2012.
- Childhood brain and spinal cord tumors treatment overview (PDQ): Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childbrain/healthprofessional. Accessed April 18, 2012.
- Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1709/0.html. Accessed April 18, 2012.
- Armstrong TS, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medical therapy by patients with primary brain tumors. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 2008;8:264.
- Avastin (prescribing information). South San Francisco, Calif.: Genentech Inc.; 2011. http://www.avastin.com/patient/index.html. Accessed April 19, 2012.
- Afinitor (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis; 2012. http://www.afinitor.com/sega-tuberous-sclerosis/hcp/prescribing-information.jsp?site=PC018122&irmasrc=ONCWB0042&source=01030. Accessed April 19, 2012.
- Temodar (prescribing information). Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck & Co. Inc.; 2012. http://www.temodar.com/temodar/index.do. Accessed April 23, 2012.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 23, 2012.
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