Relaxation training and guided imagery for an elderly man with bladder cancer: a case report

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies in elderly patients. This report describes the use of cue-controlled progressive relaxation training and guided imagery with an elderly man who was diagnosed with bladder carcinoma in situ. After 7 therapy sessions over 4 weeks, the posttherapy surgical pathology report showed "no invasive malignancy identified" for urothelial carcinoma in situ. A computed tomography scan showed no incidence of metastatic disease and that the "bladder appeared normal." Although this is a single case report, it should encourage further study and investigation using this alternative therapy for cancer patients.