Receiving Treatment
Chemotherapy is generally given intravenously or may also be administered in pill form. This type of chemo is called "systemic" chemotherapy, as it travels through the blood stream and reaches the entire body. Systemic chemotherapy carries the most side effects mesothelioma, because not only does it do the job it is meant to do - kill fast-growing cancer cells - but, unfortunately, it also kills other kinds of fast-growing cells such as hair and blood cells.
Hence, many people lose their hair and suffer low white or red blood cell counts as a result.
Some pleural mesothelioma patients may be candidates for a different kind of chemotherapy that more closely targets the tumor and causes fewer side effects. Known as intrapleural chemotherapy, this method involves infusing drugs via a catheter into the chest area, the site of the primary tumor. This intracavitary chemotherapy treatment mesothelioma has proven to be most successful in treating cancers that are still limited to just the pleural surface. A similar procedure is available for those who suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma.
Common Mesothelioma Cancer Chemo Drugs
A number of different chemotherapy drugs can be used to treat mesothelioma. Currently, the most widely used drug and the one with which doctors have had the most success is Alimta®. This drug is usually used in tandem with a platinum agent like Cisplatin and has been shown to add several months to the patient's mesothelioma life expectancy in many cases.
Alimta®
Alimta is a systemic drug and is injected into the vein. It is normally given once every 21 days. Patients who are prescribed a course of treatment with Alimta will also be expected to take folic acid and Vitamin B12 to lower the chance of developing harmful side effects. This is essential! Patients will also be given a round of corticosteroids, usually for 3 days, in conjunction with each Alimta injection in order to avoid certain adverse skin reactions.
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