Mesothelioma and Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a treatment method widely used to treat cancers. With this treatment, chemicals that can annihilate malignant cells are used.  The drugs used for this treatment normally obstruct division and growth of malignant cells thereby restricting the cancer from spreading to other areas.

But, this sort of drugs also kills other cells of the body in addition to the cancerous cells. In addition, a range of side effects are also known to be associated with this treatment including vomiting, nausea, hair loss, immunity problems as well as decreased appetite. Whenever a patient experiences these side effects, this should be brought to the notice of the relevant physicians who will alter the medications or add another medication to reduce the impact.

A great deal of mesothelioma patients undergoes chemotherapy treatment thinking that it is more effective and harmless. Nevertheless before undergoing one specific chemotherapeutic treatment, knowing all the options available helps the patient and their families immensely to opt for the best. 

The best option mostly depends on the patient's mesothelioma stage and its type. The factors such as patient's age as well as the overall health also play a major part when selecting chemotherapeutic options.

Chemotherapy includes over 100 medications but only few have been proved successful in fighting with cancerous cells. Sometimes, physicians add more than one drug to treat patients and these combinations more often gives considerable relief.  

Most commonly used drugs for chemotherapy are Alimta, Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Navelbine, Gemcitabine and Onconase. These medications are generally administered intravenously and orally. A modern method, heated chemotherapy is also administered widely.

No effective cure has been found so far for mesothelioma patients. Chemotherapy too only helps controlling the disease. It helps shrinking the cancers and improves the conditions. Combination of drugs with chemotherapy has proved successful in prolonging survival period. Only time will tell how effective are the methods of chemotherapies that are still only at the testing level at present.