Mesothelioma Chemotherapy-What are your options?

Anti cancer drugs work by specifically targeting certain processes in cancerous cells to stop cell division and multiplication ultimately leading to the death of the cancerous cells. These drugs are however not highly specific in their mode of action and in addition to killing cancerous cells, anti cancer drugs also kill normal healthy cells such as those involved in hair growth.

There are several options for chemotherapy of mesothelioma cancer. Most of these drugs have side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, loss of appetite and decreased immunity which makes them more susceptible to infections. Any symptoms experienced while undergoing treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs should be reported to the doctor.

Many patients will consider chemotherapy as a treatment option. Understanding the various chemotherapy options and available treatments often helps patients and their loved ones make the best decision for their personal situation. Evaluating Chemotherapy Options Deciding the best chemotherapy option for treating specific mesothelioma cases depends on a number of factors, including the type of mesothelioma, the stage of the disease, and other treatment being used by the victim. Factors such as overall physical health and age are also taken into consideration when planning a chemotherapy treatment plan.

Currently more than 100 chemotherapy drugs are on the market but only a handful have proven to be appropriate for fighting mesothelioma. In most cases, doctors treating mesothelioma patients recommend combination therapy - the tandem use of two different chemotherapy drugs. These combination's have been proven to be the most successful in treating the cancer.

All treatment options will be thoroughly discussed with the patient's oncologist{specialist cancer doctor} before a decision is made. Patients should provide a full disclosure of their medical history, including details of any prescriptions and over-the-counter medications being taken to ensure treatment is administered with the most appropriate chemotherapeutic agent.

Currently, the most common chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include Alimta (the only FDA-approved drug specifically designed for the treatment of mesothelioma), Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Onconase, Gemcitabine, and Navelbine. The medications are usually administered conventionally (by IV or pill form), or may be used in a newer treatment method called heated chemotherapy.

Can Chemotherapy Cure Mesothelioma?

No it can not cure the cancer, currently there is no proven cure for mesothelioma. However, chemotherapy can help control symptoms and shrink tumors and is largely used as a palliative measure to help improve the patient's quality of life. The development of combination treatments has proved successful in achieving longer survival rates and researchers continue to look for new ways to fight this terrible disease.