After receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you will most likely engage in discussions with several medical professionals, including an oncologist. These conversations will cover your various mesothelioma treatment options, including the different procedures, surgeries, and mesothelioma drugs available to treat your cancer.
The most common treatment for cancer, including mesothelioma, is chemotherapy. The treatments can be administered in a hospital, doctor's office or cancer clinic and are often given in conjunction with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy treatments come in different forms including pill or liquid, but are more frequently administered intravenously.
Your oncologist will determine the best treatment plan for your mesothelioma, including the optimal drugs for you to take. Some common chemotherapy drugs include:
- Cisplatin – a platinum-based drug approved to be used with other drugs.
- Carboplatin – modified from Cisplatin, this drug is used experimentally.
- Germcitabine – found to be successful in treating some cases of pleural mesothelioma, this drug is primarily used to treat pancreatic, bladder, and breast cancers.
- Alimta – the first medication that is FDA approved for mesothelioma treatment, and is considered to be the most effective chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma.
- Navelbine – a semi-synthetic chemotherapy drug that has a slightly higher success rate.
- Onconase – several studies have shown that this chemotherapy drug can be used to kill mesothelioma cancer cells.
Chemotherapy often has side effects, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, and increased vulnerability to infection. You should speak with your oncologist about potential side effects to determine if complimentary treatments are available to alleviate them. There are also medications available for pain that can improve your quality of life. For your safety and well-being, it is a good idea discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor to ensure there are no adverse drug interactions.