Mesothelioma chemotherapy

 Mesothelioma chemotherapy 

Mesothelioma chemotherapy is the administation of drugs in the mesothelioma treatment. These drugs can either be taken orally in pill form or they can be given by injection either through the a vein or muscle.

This is a systematic therapy, i.e. the drug enters the circulatory system of the body to reach and destroy mesothelioma cancer. In mesothelioma chemotherapy, these drugs may also be given directly into the chest cavity which is called intrapleurally, or into the abdominal cavity, called intraperitoneally.

These intrapleural and intraperitoneal depends on the type and stage of the mesothelioma cancer, chemotherapy may also be administered as the main mesothelioma treatment or as an addition to surgery.

Many different anticancer drugs have been administered for mesothelioma treatment, but the most effective drug when given singly is Doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Some other drugs that can be administered alone include Cisplatin and Methotrexate.

The effectiveness of these anticancer drugs are often achieved when they are combinated. The combinations of drugs used in mesothelioma treatment include Methotrexate and Vincristine; Cisplatin, Vinblastine and Mitomycin; Cisplatin and Doxorubicin.

Mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs destroys cancerous cells, but also damage some normal cells. In that case, absolute attention must be given in order to avoid or minimize the side effects of such drugs.

The side effects of drugs depends on the particular drugs, the dosage taken, and the period of treatment. Mild and temporary side effects such as nausea and vomiting, anorexia, loss of hair, and mouth sores. If some blood producing cells are damaged, there could be low blood cell count. This could also lead to a substantial or high risk of infection, blood klotting process could be impaired after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and experiencing exhaustion or shortness of breath (due to low red blood cell counts) could also be seen.