Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that aims to eliminate mesothelioma
cancer cells through chemical agents pumped into the body through a vein,
bodily cavity, or sometimes in the form of a pill. There are various types
of chemotherapy drugs, so the type and method used will depend on your
doctor’s specific recommendation. The goal is to stop cancer cells
from growing and spreading in the patient’s body. Doctors often
recommend a chemotherapy regimen for patients with
asbestos cancer accompanied by other cancer-fighting drugs.
How Chemotherapy Works
Chemotherapy uses strong chemicals to kill cancerous cells in a person’s
body. The downside is that these chemicals do not discriminate between
cancer cells and healthy cells, so patients who undergo chemotherapy often
experience fatigue, weakness, hair loss, and low blood counts.
Chemotherapy: An Aggressive Mesothelioma Treatment
Chemotherapy is one of the most aggressive
treatment options for patients with mesothelioma. It is commonly recommended because mesothelioma
is such an aggressive form of cancer, and many patients are not diagnosed
until the cancer has grown and spread. Although it can be a frightening
option, many patients treated through chemotherapy have experienced an
improved prognosis.
Common Chemotherapy Regimens
Every mesothelioma patient is different, which is why oncologists come
up with treatment regimens depending on a variety of factors that are
unique to each individual patient. Common regimens and programs include:
-
Just Chemotherapy
When the doctor opts to treat the patient with chemo alone.
-
Multi-Modal
The doctor decides to use chemotherapy in addition to another treatment
or multiple other treatments.
-
Pre-Operative
The doctor uses chemotherapy to reduce the size of the patient’s
tumor before operating on it.
-
Post-Operative
The doctor uses chemotherapy treatment after tumor removal
surgery in order to prevent the cancer cells from returning.
-
Palliative
This type of method aims to lessen the impact of cancer
symptoms.
Single-Agent Chemotherapy vs. Combination Chemotherapy
Just as there are a variety of methods, there are a variety of chemotherapy
drugs oncologists can use. Sometimes, doctors choose to use just one type
of chemotherapy medication like Alimta or Cisplatin while in other instances,
the doctor might find it best to use a combination of chemotherapy drugs
on a patient.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy has a variety of possible side effects that will differ per
patient and differ depending on the type and method of chemotherapy treatment.
The most common side effects include:
- Losing your hair
- Nausea
- Weakness and fatigue
- Decreased red blood cell count
- Weakened immune system
Worthington & Caron, PC helps mesothelioma patients by connecting them
to top doctors throughout the country. If you would like to learn more
about your treatment options and possible legal recourse to pay for those
treatments,
contact us today.