Treatment for Mesothelioma II
ChemotherapyChemotherapy refers to the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or they can be injected by needle into a vein or muscle. Once the drugs enter the bloodstream, they spread throughout the body. In treating mesothelioma, these drugs may also be given directly into the chest (or abdominal) cavity at the site of the tumor. More than one drug may be used to make the treatment more effective.
Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, chemotherapy may be given as the main treatment or along with surgery. Chemotherapy for this disease is given to relieve symptoms, not to cure the cancer.
Chemotherapy can have some side effects. These side effects will depend on the type of drugs given, the amount taken, and how long treatment lasts. Side effects could include the following:
nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- hair loss
- mouth sores
- an increased risk of infection
- bleeding or bruising after minor cuts
- tiredness
- shortness of breath
Most side effects go away once treatment is over. Anyone who has problems with side effects should talk with their doctor or nurse, as there are often ways to help.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is treatment with high energy rays (such as x-rays) to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (internal or implant radiation). External radiation, the kind most often used to treat mesothelioma, can be given in the same way as the type of x-ray used to find a broken bone, although it takes longer. Treatments are usually given daily (5 days a week) for 3 to 5 weeks.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the main treatment for mesothelioma for patients who might not be healthy enough to have surgery. Radiation also can be used along with surgery, or as a way to ease symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, or trouble with swallowing. If fluid builds up in the chest, radioactive drugs can be put into the space after the fluid is drawn out. This might help keep the fluid from coming back.
There can be side effects from radiation. Most of these will go away after a short while. The skin in the area treated may look sunburned and then become darker. You may also feel tired. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any side effects. Often there are medicines or other methods that will help.
taken from AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
posted by Redy Mahardian @ 1:19 PM
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