Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer and although it cannot be completely cured, chemotherapy for mesothelioma can help the patient lead a better life. Malignant mesothelioma cancer affects the mesothelial cells of the serous membrane line which is a protective lining that covers or encloses the serous cavities in the body. One of the most common forms of this cancer affects the lining of the lungs and is called pleural mesothelioma. Other types of mesothelioma include pericardial mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma that affects the lining of the heart and the abdomen lining respectively. Mesothelioma is often misconstrued to be a type of lung cancer however, it is not true. It is correct that the cancer affects the lung lining but this does not make it a form or type of primary lung cancer. The reason why it cannot be categorized into the types of primary lung cancers is that the cancer does not originate or develop in the lungs but as mentioned before, it develops in the serous membranes or the protective lining surrounding the lungs and / or other organs. This should have cleared that mesothelioma is not a type of lung cancer but please note that when this malignant cancer formed in the protective lining spreads into the lungs then it is considered to be a form of secondary lung cancer. Another name that is commonly used to describe mesothelioma cancer is ‘asbestos lung cancer’ as it is caused with the exposure to asbestos.

Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment involves the use of chemical agents or chemotherapy drugs that help control the malignant form of cancer by destroying the rapidly multiplying cancer cells. As mentioned before, chemotherapy for mesothelioma can only ease the symptoms of the condition and try and provide a better quality of life. It could prolong the life of the patient for sometime but cannot completely cure the cancer. Chemotherapy for mesothelioma is not given as a single treatment i.e. it is either given as adjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy or as a palliative chemotherapy treatment.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is where the chemotherapy treatment is secondary and where another treatment method such as surgery is the main treatment method. In such cases, chemotherapy treatment is followed after the completion of the surgery. The main rationale behind this is to reduce the chances of the mesothelioma cancer from reappearing or developing. Chemotherapy for mesothelioma in such cases is basically a precautionary treatment to ensure that all the cancer cells are dead if any were left after the surgery.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is where the chemotherapy treatment is given before the surgery. This mostly happens in cases of treatment for pleural mesothelioma. This method is followed for the easy removal of the tumor as chemotherapy for mesothelioma reduces the tumor to a size that can be easily removed with a surgery. Another concept or theory behind neoadjuvant chemotherapy is that to avoid the spread of cancer cells to other parts, it is better to be given sooner than to keep it for later. The factors determining whether to start the chemotherapy treatment before, after or with any other treatment methods depends on various factors and depending on them the doctor determines as to when to start with chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy Drugs for Mesothelioma

The contribution and effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of mesothelioma is yet under research however, instead of single agent or drug chemotherapy, a combination of various chemotherapy drugs is the preferred choice as it is by and large more effective than any single agent drugs. To treat pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly used combination of drugs involves premetrexed or Alimta along with carboplatin or cisplatin. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is also used in the treatment of lymphomas, sarcomas and also certain carcinomas such as the ovarian cancer and SCLC or small cell lung cancer.

Other drugs used in different combinations in chemotherapy for mesothelioma are gemcitabine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, vinorelbine etc. Although these chemotherapy drugs treat the cancer to a certain extent providing good results, they also have a tendency to cause side effects. This is because chemotherapy drugs travels through the entire system to reach its target, the cancer cells. While traveling through the body it also attacks the healthy cells causing certain side effects. Each drug could cause different side effects however some of the commonly noticed side effects of drugs used in chemotherapy for mesothelioma include neutropenia or low white blood cell count, nausea, vomiting, hair loss and diarrhea. Please note that none of the mentioned drugs are to be taken without consulting with the doctor and also be vigilant for any side effects. Do not ignore them and contact the doctor immediately when any of the above or other side effects of chemotherapy for mesothelioma such as high fever is noticed.