Non Surgical Treatments of Mesothelioma

Non surgical treatment part of Mesothelioma

There are three main types of treatments of Mesothelioma. They are
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy.

The chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used with the surgical treatment to kill out the cancer cells which remain after the surgery as by surgical procedures not all the cancer cells of Mesothelioma are removed from the body.

Chemotherapy:

Cancer is abnormal growth of the normal cells. When the cells continue to divide at rapid speed which is uncontrolled by the body safety mechanisms it is called cancer. The aim of the chemotherapy is to kill the huge amount of cells by way of drugs and medicines. The chemotherapy is given to kill the cells which are dividing at abnormal pace and control their division.
The chemotherapy given for Mesothelioma is not aimed to treat Mesotheolioma so the aim of giving this therapy is
Control the growth of the cancer cells
Spread of the cancer cells
To kill the remaining cells of Mesothilioma after surgery
To shrink the size of the tumor before the surgery so the surgery is easier and less portion of the organ has to be removed.
To relive pain and other symptoms.

There are two drugs which are given in chemotherapy for the treatment of the Mesothelioma. They are
Alimata: It is approved by FDA and is usually the first drug of choice for the treatment of Mesothelioma.
Cisplatin

These two drugs are usually given in conjugation with each other. They are given to out door patients and hospitalization is not necessary for these drugs. They are given in cycles of 21 days and has to be given after every 21 days. First Alimata is given as I/V . This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and then Cisplatin is given I/V which takes about 2 to 2 and a half hours.

Side effects of Chemotherapy:  

The chemotherapy for some patients has major side effects.
The side effects are
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of hair
Loss of appetite
Loss of reproductive cells
Peripheral neuropathy
Fatigue
Tingling sensations in the limbs
Ringing in ears
Rashes on skin
Sore mouth or throat
Some patients may develop many serious side effects which may not be easily controlled and the chemotherapy in those patients is stopped. If a patient develops anything then he should report to the doctor and nothing should be taken lightly.


Radiotherapy:

Radiotherapy as the name suggests is the kind of treatment which aims to kill the cancer cells by high energy rays. In Mesiothelioma the use of radiotherapy is in conjugation with surgery and is used to kill the cells which are left after the surgery. It may also be used to control the symptoms of the Mesothelioma.

When it is used to kill the cells after the surgery it is called IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy). In this controlled beams of X-Rays are used to kill the cancer cells which remain after the surgery. The X-Rays are directed to a specified area as to only affect that area and not affect the tissues surrounding that area.


Side effects of Radiotherapy:

Nausea
Fatigue
Hair Loss
Low blood count
Skin reactions: Skin becomes dry and may crest. Becomes red and inflamed. Rashes develop
Mucous membrane becomes red at first then plaque forms.
Diarrhea
Cough
Saliva may be produced less leading to dry mouth.
 Atrophy of tissues
Chromosomal changes
Leukemia.
Suppressed immune system.