Searches for mesothelioma, chemotherapy for mesothelioma, mesothelioma treatment option, mesothelioma lawyer, mesothelioma attorney
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Mesothelioma Treatment Options: Chemotherapy - The most common use for chemotherapy in mesothelioma patients, is as an option for those who are not surgical candidates. Chemotherapy is the use of chemical substances for treating cancer. When cancer occurs, abnormal cells continue to divide uncontrolled. Anticancer, or chemotherapy drugs, work to destroy cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying.
Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. This means that the drug enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body to reach and destroy the cancer cells.
In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given intrapleurally (directly into the chest cavity), or intraperitoneally (into the abdominal cavity). Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be given as the primary (main) treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery.
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With mesothelioma, chemotherapy is not considered "curative" but may be used to achieve different goals, depending on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis and the age and health of the patient. Some goals for patients with mesothelioma taking chemotherapy would be:
- Control the cancer by stopping its spread and/or slowing its growth.
- Shrink tumors prior to other treatments, such as surgery. (also known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
- Destroy microscopic disease which may remain after surgery. (also known as adjuvant chemotherapy)
- To relieve symptoms, such as pain. (also known as palliative chemotherapy)
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Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells. Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased risk of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts). If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Various cancer centers are now conducting trials using the neoadjuvant approach. Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. The drug most effective when given alone is doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Combinations of drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include methotrexate and vincristine; cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin; cisplatin and doxorubicin; and doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (or ifosfamide) and cisplatin. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
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