In this situation most physicians will offer pain control and nutritional supplementation for its palliative benefit. Fueled by the current epidemic of HIV, the number of unconventional therapies is on the rise. Studies have demonstrated that patients most likely to seek out unorthodox therapies have a higher education level and a higher median income. These patients tend to be sophisticated and capable of searching out unconventional modalities. Frequently a physician's management plan is so complex and high in technology that it is difficult to understand by most individuals.
Patients wish to be active participants in their care and to help out in any way they can.
Although participation is a very positive motivation, it may not be realistic in light of the known biology of malignancy. Many unscrupulous practitioners are able to take advantage of this mind set. Mental imagery is one such technique. This technique allows the patient to participate and is easy for the patient to understand even though the mechanism is unrealistic. The unscrupulous practitioner will also supply a large body of unsubstantiated data that would suggest mental imagery can be channeled into the destruction of a tumor.