Treatment: Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses certain chemical agents or drugs that are specifically destructive to malignant tissues and cells. Doctors may recommend single agent chemotherapy or a combination chemotherapy treatment. The single agent chemotherapy treatment involves the use one type of chemical or drug. The combination chemotherapy method involves the use of more than one chemical or drug. While it is not a cure for mesothelioma, chemotherapy treatment may slow the progression of the cancer. What follows is a partial listing of the chemotherapy treatments a doctor might recommend to treat mesothelioma:

• Alimta (Pemetrexed)
  Alimta, when used with Cisplatin is indicated for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and is usually given through an intravenous tube (IV infusion).
• Onconase (Ranpirnase)
  A new drug that may help slow the growth of mesothelioma tumors.
• Navelbine (Vinorelbine)
  Like Alimta, when combined with other drugs in chemotherapy, Navelbine is used to treat mesothelioma tumors. Clinical trials are still underway and testing on some patients has begun. Navelbine is usually given intravenously.
• Carbonplatin (Paraplatin)
  A chemotherapy medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. It has been shown to slow the spread of cancer. Some serious side effects have been reported with the use of Carboplatin.
• Cisplatin (Platinol)
  Cisplatin is a clear fluid given in combination with other drugs in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma. In treatment for mesothelioma, Cisplatin is usually administered with Alimta. As with many chemotherapy drugs, certain side effects may occur. Cisplatin is usually given by IV infusion.
• Related Drugs and Therapy
  Besides the chemotherapy drugs doctors prescribe for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, there are other drugs intended for post-chemotherapy use. Doctors will also prescribe drugs intended for use at the same time chemotherapy or radiation is underway, that are meant to minimize the side effects that can accompany these treatments.
  • Taxotere, Taxol
    Tumors can return after chemotherapy in some cases. Taxotere and Taxol are drugs that are used to help rid the body of cancer cells when cancer recurs following a previous chemotherapy treatment. These drugs inhibit the duplication or reproduction of cancerous cells. They are delivered through intravenous infusion.
  • Zofran and Anti Nausea Drugs
    One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy treatment is nausea. Zofran is a drug used to ease nausea. Others are Emeset, Oncoden and Zofron. These drugs can help to control radiation therapy induced nausea, as well as post-op nausea and other kinds of nausea.
  • Endostatin
    A natural protein shown to inhibit the growth of blood vessels. The administration of Endostatin results in cancerous tumors “starving” due to lack of blood. This drug is still in clinical trials and has not been approved for general prescription, however.