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Mesothelioma Chemotherapy – 7 questions to answer before going for the treatment

Catherine A. Murphy

Mesothelioma can affect people who are exposed to asbestos while at their workplace or in an area where products made of asbestos are extensively used. Chemotherapy is the considered to be most effective treatment for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is proven to improve the duration of survival. Through this treatment anticancer or chemotherapy drugs are administered into the body to kill cancer cells and stop their further multiplication.

1. Why do I need chemotherapy if I am diagnosed with mesothelioma?

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, chemotherapy cannot be done to cure the disease as no cure has been found for it as yet. It is used to control the further spreading of the growth of cancer cells or slow their multiplication. It also helps in burning or shrinking of the tumor prior to surgery which is called as neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Another benefit of chemotherapy is that helps in destroying cells which might be still remaining after surgery which is considered adjuvant chemotherapy. Another form of chemotherapy can be employed on you to reduce pain and help you handling the disease more effectively. This is palliative chemotherapy.

2. What drugs are administrated through chemotherapy?

Mesothelioma usually affects older people as it takes about 20 years for the disease to be diagnosed after being exposed to asbestos. This makes it quite difficult for surgery to be performed on old patients. Under such circumstance a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug Alimta is used along with Cisplatin. This is specially given to those who are suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma where curative surgery is not possible. This chemotherapy with drug is the first FDA approved treatment and is believed to be kind effective.

3. How can the drug used for chemotherapy help me?

This drug is a multi-targeted antifolate drug and helps in blocking the enzymes necessary for DNA copying and cell division. While conducting clinical trial of this drug combination it was found to have about three months more median survival as compared to usage of only Cisplatin.

4. How will the chemotherapy be administrated?

Usually chemotherapy of mesothelioma patients is administered through intravenous as the drug reaches the blood stream faster. At times, intra-peritoneal chemotherapy is given by attaching a catheter to the abdominal wall and chemotherapy drugs are given directly into the abdominal cavity. It can be given by placing ports under the skin of the abdominal wall and the catheter is sent between the skin and muscle into the peritoneum.

5. What side effects will I face during the course of chemotherapy for mesothelioma?

Side effects are caused as the dosage of chemotherapy affect the smooth multiplication of normal cells like those in the digestive tract, reproduction system as well as hair follicles. These treatment results in damaging the cancer cells which divide at a very fast pace but during the course of this procedure normal cells are also damaged. The extent of side effect is dependent on the dosage as well as the type of chemotherapy administrated on you. You might face nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, fever, fatigue, numbness of the fingers, sores in the mouth or throat as well as peripheral neuropathy.

6. What should I find out from my doctor before chemotherapy?

You should find out about the likely side effects which you might face during chemotherapy treatment. Also find out whether you can continue taking other medication which you have been using for other problems. You should indicate all the over-the-counter and prescribed medications you have been taking. Aspirin can cause adverse effect on your treatment.

7. What extra care I should take while undergoing chemotherapy?

You should drink a lot of work and have a healthy diet. You can work out a proper diet with a nutritionist. You should rinse your mouth properly after every food. You should stay after from infection as chemotherapy weakens your immune system so you need to avoid contact with people suffering from common cold or flu. You can take the help of a counselor to get over the stress or mental trauma you would be going through due to the disease.

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