my dad has cancer and has developed a clot in his leg which is not the dangerous one, but is very painful. he had an operation where they put plates and pins in his leg due to the cancer eating away his femur to about one inch. he is limited to small pain killers and cannot go for surgery due to chemo treatments. would he benefit from using leeches on the spot where his clot is? also his blood is thin, would this be harmful in any way?would the leeches be helpful in other parts of his body where he has cancer?

Question

my dad has cancer and has developed a clot in his leg which is not the dangerous one, but is very painful. he had an operation where they put plates and pins in his leg due to the cancer eating away his femur to about one inch. he is limited to small pain killers and cannot go for surgery due to chemo treatments. would he benefit from using leeches on the spot where his clot is? also his blood is thin, would this be harmful in any way?would the leeches be helpful in other parts of his body where he has cancer?

Answer 1

Since none of is a doctor of medicine, I urge you to consult your dad's physician about this alternative treatment.

I did check websites and found no really credible source that recommended leeches.

Answer 2

I'm really sorry to hear about your dad's situation. Since I am not a medical professional, I cannot provide personalized medical advice. However, I can give you some general information that may be helpful.

Regarding the use of leeches on the clot, it's important to note that leech therapy (hirudotherapy) is a traditional and alternative medical practice. It involves the use of medicinal leeches to suck blood from a specific area of the body. The main purpose is to promote blood flow and potentially relieve pain, but it may not directly treat the clot itself.

Consulting with your dad's healthcare team, specifically his oncologist and hematologist, would be the best approach to determine if leech therapy is appropriate for his case. They are in the best position to evaluate his overall health condition, blood thinning medication, and the potential benefits and risks of leech therapy.

As for using leeches on other parts of his body affected by cancer, it's important to understand that leech therapy is primarily used for wound healing and blood circulation. It is not a proven treatment for cancer itself. Cancer treatments should be discussed with a qualified oncologist, who can provide appropriate advice and recommendations based on your dad's specific condition.

Again, speaking to your dad's healthcare team, who have a complete understanding of his medical history, would be the most advisable course of action to explore potential options and address his pain and clotting concerns.