Chemotherapy
Once an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the oncologist to whom he/she is referred will work to devise a treatment plan to address the disease. Many factors will determine what kind of therapy is recommended, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the disease, and the age and overall health of the patient. In many cases, chemotherapy is recommended.
What is Chemotherapy?
Short for “chemical therapy”, chemotherapy involves treatment with a drug or series of drugs that are specifically designed to kill cancer cells. Specifically, the drugs can kill cells that rapidly divide, one of the main properties of cancer cells.
The most common chemotherapy is a systemic form of treatment, which means that – unlike radiation or surgery – it can affect the entire body. In many cases, that is advantageous as chemotherapy can be effective for cancer that has metastasized – spread from one organ to another. However, it also means that chemotherapy drugs may attack cells that naturally divide rapidly, including bone marrow and hair follicles, causing some of the side effects that are most closely associated with the treatment.
There are about 100 kinds of chemo drugs on the market today and the oncologist will recommend the use of those that have been most effective in treating mesothelioma. That may be one drug or a combination of two or more. The length of treatment will also be determined by the oncologist and will most likely vary from case to case.
How is Chemo Administered?
Chemotherapy is given in one of two ways:
Systemically – Administered intravenously or by pill, systemic chemo drugs are carried through the blood stream and can affect the entire body.
Intrapleurally or intraperitoneally – Drugs can be injected directly into the chest or abdominal cavity through small incisions at either location. This allows for a higher concentration of chemo at the affected area, which is less likely to cause side effects in other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma
Chemotherapy is generally the first course of treatment recommended for those with mesothelioma and may be used in tandem with surgery and/or radiation therapy. The goal of chemo is to slow the progression of the disease; however, it is unlikely to eradicate the disease completely.
The chemotherapy drug of choice for mesothelioma patients is Alimta© (pemetrexed), the first and only FDA-approved drug designed specifically for the treatment of this disease. It is generally used in tandem with a second chemotherapy drug, usually a platinum agent like cisplatin. If these drugs are not tolerated by the patient or cause some other concerns, doctors have other chemotherapy drug options available for treatment, including gemcitabine, onconase, and vinorelbine.
Dealing with Chemotherapy
In many cases, those who have heard the horror stories of chemotherapy treatment often fear the therapy as much as the disease. Indeed, chemotherapy can be difficult to tolerate but newer chemo drugs come with fewer side effects and doctors can provide drugs or suggest complementary treatments that can help to lessen the side effects of chemo. It’s also important to remember that most of the side effects will disappear when treatment is complete.
Nevertheless, if chemotherapy is suggested for treatment, patients must consider the option carefully, weighing the pros and cons of the treatment and how it relates to their disease and its prognosis.
Side effects of chemotherapy may appear quickly or may progress as the treatment continues. Your doctor should be able to tell you what you might expect in conjunction with the particular drug(s) that have been prescribed for you.
- Common chemotherapy side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Low white blood cell count (sign of a compromised immune system)
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Low platelet count (causing clotting concerns)
- Achy muscles
- Tingling hands and feet
- Rash
- Depression
Any side effects should be reported to your doctor, especially high fever, inability to eat or drink, and those that indicate signs of infection.