Mesothelioma chemotherapy

If your doctor tells you that you have mesothelioma, chemotherapy will likely be proposed. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful chemical substances for the purpose of killing cancer cells. Actually, try these drugs, known as cancer drugs, the cancer cells from reproducing and prevent the spread of the disease, and give your body a chance to fight them.

Starting Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Of course, this depends on theStage of the cancer is in, your health and your age. Chemotherapy for mesothelioma is really not used to cure the disease. But it can slow the growth of cancer cells and keep them spread. Adjuvant chemotherapy is being done to shrink the tumor before surgery or other treatment. However, it is generally, if surgery is not an option proposed. If there is no really drastic results expected, chemotherapy can still be used to relieve pain. In these cases we speak ofpalliative.

Chemotherapy options

Alimta / cisplatin chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a mesothelioma that this time used to. This regimen was the first that the FDA approved for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. For patients who are not candidates for surgery, this treatment should be considered the most effective. Alimta blocks the enzymes that copy DNA, and using cell division. It increases the success rate ofCisplatin.

How is it administered? Alimta / cisplatin chemotherapy consists of ten minute intravenous infusion of Alimta, after which the patient is given a two-hour infusion of cisplatin. This outpatient treatment is repeated every three weeks. How often do you have malignant pleural mesothelioma chemotherapy depends entirely on how you react to tumors, the drug ... Their side effects, shrinkage, and whether to stop or slow theCancer.

Various methods infusion

For intraperitoneal mesothelioma, abdominal cavity of the drugs can be infused directly into the ports in place by skin.

One way or another it will be periods of "rest" when the cycle is interrupted the treatment for the patient to give time to recover. A minimal cycle would be three infusions. If your body tolerates the chemo well, they can continue as long as they are, what the results.

CommonSide Effects & When should you ask questions

The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and extreme fatigue. Foods can begin taste funny. Fever, constipation, diarrhea, numbness in the extremities, mouth and throat, wounds, and ringing in the ears can also occur. There are many medications available to minimize these symptoms. In addition, supplementary vitamins will be prescribed, as well as oral steroids, which will helpto ward off skin rashes and other symptoms. Ask any questions you may Mesothelioma before chemotherapy.

Learn more about mesothelioma chemotherapy

Tags : Swine Flu Vaccine