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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010

Chemotherapy Option for Mesothelioma Patients

The most common chemotherapy treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma is a combination therapy of cisplatin and pemetrexed. This combination is used as a first-line treatment in patients for which resection (surgery) is not an option, as well as in adjuvant chemotherapy treatment after surgery. This combination is effective, yet it can be toxic with a range of side effects including decreased kidney function.

Malignant Peural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a form of lung cancer that is caused by inhaling airborne asbestos fibers and affects the outer lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. While pleural mesothelioma is not classified as a lung cancer according to the medical definition, the treatments between lung cancer and mesothelioma are often similar. There is no cure for malignant mesothelioma and the treatments that are used to fight the disease are considered aggressive and can be difficult on the patient.

According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology the combination of carboplatin, as opposed to cisplatin, and pemetrexed is well tolerated in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. “Disease control rate, time to disease progression, and overall survival” were similar to those of patients treated with the standard regimen of pemetrexed and cisplatin.

The choice between treatment with cisplatin or carboplatin for mesothelioma should be discussed with your oncologist. While carboplatin is often better tolerated, the efficacy of cisplatin is slightly better. If kidney function declines while on cisplatin, a switch to carboplatin is reasonable.

Source:
Journal of Clinical Oncology