Mesothelioma is a cancer which is most often caused by exposure to asbestos. The cancer can be dormant in the lungs of the person who has inhaled asbestos fibers for 15 to 50 years after the initial exposure. Once the cancer is detected, it is usually because it has developed into the later stage which has the most noticeable symptoms.
When mesothelioma is found in its later stages, it generally requires aggressive treatment to fight off the rapid growth of this cancer. There are several different treatment options available to patients. The options available to a patient can vary depending on the stage and symptoms of their cancer and their personal preferences for treatment options. One of the most aggressive forms of these treatment options is chemotherapy.
How Chemotherapy Works
Chemotherapy is often used to fight mesothelioma because it used chemicals to stop and control the division of cancer cells. This is accomplished because the chemotherapy chemicals seek and destroy the cancer cells so that they are no longer able to keep growing and dividing into additional cells.
Why Chemotherapy is used
Chemotherapy can be used in some cancers with the possibility of putting the cancer into remission. With mesothelioma the cancer is usually only detected in its later and most aggressive stages. Therefore, using chemotherapy treatment for this cancer is not done to possible cure the cancer. Instead, chemotherapy is used for this cancer to slow the growth of the cancer. This is done in hopes of extending the life expectancy of the patient.
Another reason as to why chemotherapy may be chosen for patients with this aggressive cancer is so that the tumors which have formed in their body can be reduced in size. This can make the tumors easier to remove in a surgical procedure. Chemotherapy can also be used after such a surgery in these patients in an effort to destroy any microscopic diseases which could form post surgery.
Chemotherapy is also used in patients who have been deemed by their physician not to be candidates for surgery. Doing this can help stop the formation of additional tumors in the linings of organs other than the lungs.
How Chemotherapy Is Administered
Chemotherapy is almost always administered intravenously. This is when a needle is inserted into a vein in the arm or hand of the patient. This needle is used to have the chemotherapy drugs introduced into the blood stream.
Another way chemotherapy is administered is thorough he use of a catheter. A catheter is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into a large vein. These catheters are connected to a port which is a small disk made of plastic or metal. The port is put under the skin on the chest of the patient. The port will stay in place with the catheter as long as it is necessary. A similar version of this type of chemotherapy administration can be done in the abdominal area instead of the chest. A doctor can decide which of these methods is best for each individual patient and their specific situation.