Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Treatments

The deadly disease caused by exposure to the natural mineral asbestos has been taking a human toll since many decades now. Large number of cases of mesothelioma, as it is called in medical terminology, has been reported since the 1970s when the first link was established between the disease and asbestos; even today persons keep getting diagnosed with mesothelioma owing to the long gestation period typical of the disease.

Doctors have been following a trimodal approach to the management of various types of mesothelioma as a cure is still not in hand. The approach comprises use of mesothelioma surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, either in isolation or any combination of the three.

Mesothelioma chemotherapy/chemo treatment

When chemical substances or drugs are used to treat the fatal cancer called malignant mesothelioma, it constitutes mesothelioma chemotherapy. Mesothelioma chemotherapy can be categorized into traditional mesothelioma and new mesothelioma treatments. Making use of chemotherapy to treat cancer began way back in the early 1940s. Continued research contributed much to the enhancement of the understanding of the nature of disease and consequently, to the development of newly targeted chemotherapy agents.

Generally, chemotherapy treatments are most effective when the case in hand involves "young" or first-stage cancer cells that have not yet progressed into a solid tumor mass. Such nascent growths are easier to dissolve and permeate than fully ripe, hardened tumor masses.

Chemotherapy treatment used for mesothelioma cancer

While there is no cure available for the deadly mesothelioma, chemotherapy may be used to manage the disease and facilitate better quality of life for the patient. The various ways of doing this include the following.

•  1. Combined modality chemotherapy: This is another name for trimodality therapy where chemotherapy is combined with other forms of treatment such as radiation therapy or surgery.
• 2. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• 3. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Also known as preoperative chemotherapy, this is performed with the specific aim of decreasing the size of a tumor mass before surgical treatment is started.
• 4. Adjuvant chemotherapy: This is postoperative chemotherapy used to diminish the chances of cancer recurrence after surgery is completed.
• 5. Palliative chemotherapy: Since there is no curative aspect to mesothelioma, chemotherapy that is used to address symptoms of the disease is called a palliative technique.

Chemotherapy treatments used for  treating  mesothelioma  cancer may be administered in an in-patient environment or on an out-patient basis. The factors that determine this decision are specific to the severity or staging of the disease. Likewise, the dosage administered may vary from patient to patient depending on the body surface area (BSA) or body volume. An appropriate dosage will go a long way to minimize toxic side-effects like nausea, mouth ulcers, diarrhea, hair loss, fatigue, fall in the number of blood cells, and many others that are a natural corollary to the treatment. In addition, it will do well to remember that side effects are temporary; they go away after the treatment is over.

Chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma patients

The most commonly administered drugs to patients of mesothelioma include:

Alimta ~ Anti-Angiogenesis ~ Cisplatin ~ Onconase ~ Veglin

Choosing the right drug and how it is to be administered depends on the type and location of the disease.

For instance, peritoneal mesothelioma is often treated with a combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed injected into a vein. While cisplatin and pemetrexed are most common, the following drugs may also be prescribed for use as an intravenous chemotherapy for abdominal mesothelioma:

• Irinotecan
• Cyclophosphamide
• Doxorubicin
• Dacarbazine
• Gemcitabine

Some other mesothelioma drugs are suggested for chemotherapy into the abdomen:

• Cisplatin and doxorubicin
• Heated Chemotherapy : cisplatin and mitomycin
• Mitomycin on its own
• Fluorouracil and paclitaxel

The side effects of chemotherapy introduced into the vein can be more severe than when drugs are given directly into the abdomen. However, some cases have reported changes in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as a high temperature during the chemotherapy procedure. As mentioned before, a few hours after the treatment these symptoms disappear.

Mesothelioma chemotherapy for lung cancer treatment

Patients of mesothelioma of the lung or pleural mesothelioma are administered a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin in chemotherapeutic treatment. Pemetrexed may also be combined with carboplatin. Other combinations or individual drugs may include the following:

• Raltitrexed (Tomudex)
• Mitomycin
• Vinorelbine
• Gemcitabine

Mesothelioma chemotherapy and diets

Treating mesothelioma with chemotherapy is physically and mentally exhausting for patients as well as caregivers. Continuous introduction of chemicals into the body takes a toll in the form of side effects like nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and/or constipation, dryness of the mouth and ulcers, tiredness and loss of appetite, hair loss and so many others. As a result, dietary aspects assume special importance and need to be addressed by the caregivers. Doctors and nutritionists should be consulted to develop a suitable nutrition plan that provides the right amount of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and other necessary requirements. The goal of proper nutrition is threefold: to prevent or reverse nutritional deficiencies, minimize the side effects of the illness and/or aggressive treatments and improve quality of life. Additionally, with changes occurring in the course of the illness, nutritional needs may alter and the team looking after the patient has to adapt and alter food intake and quality of food accordingly.