Mesothelioma Treatment: Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs and other chemical agents to fight cancer. It is one of the major modalities used in the treatment of nearly all forms of the disease, including mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is the most commonly deployed therapeutic modality for mesothelioma treatment because most patients are diagnosed only in the disease’s later stages and are not eligible for curative surgery. For these patients, chemotherapy represents their best chance to control symptoms and to extend life. Although it has not demonstrated the same life-saving efficacy that it has for other forms of cancer, recent advances in the chemotherapy agents administered to mesothelioma patients have led to longer survival times for some patient groups.
The following pages provide a detailed introduction to the practice of chemotherapy for mesothelioma treatment. For people who are interested in an overview of chemotherapy itself, we provide an introduction to the basic biological principles that underlie its use and potential effectiveness, as well information on the major factors involved with its administration. This information applies to mesothelioma treatment as well as to cancer treatment in general.
We also provide information on the specific use of chemotherapy in the treatment of mesothelioma. We have a page that describes the chemotherapy standard of care for pleural mesothelioma, most commonly found in the outer lining of the lungs, which is combination therapy using pemetrexed and cisplatin, as well one that provides an overview of some of the different groups of chemotherapy drugs that are available. This page describes the basic differences between these various groups and it details a number of the individual drugs that have previously been deployed for treatment. It also provides information on some recently developed agents that researchers are still investigating for mesothelioma treatment.
A Note About Asbestos
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause mesothelioma, a serious cancer caused by breathing in the asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos exposure causes approximately half of all deaths from occupational cancer. 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, they estimate 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
While use of asbestos has been curbed in the United States since the late 1970s, the incidence of mesothelioma has been increasing in the US and worldwide in recent decades. The disease strikes 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma has no cures and the prognosis is often grim with an average survival varying from 4-18 months after diagnosis.
If you are one of the victims of mesothelioma, you should seek out a competent mesothelioma lawyer so you can file claims or lawsuits against those companies responsible for your cancer.
Contact a Belluck & Fox Asbestos Lawyer Today
If you have recently received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, are undergoing treatment or are suffering from symptoms of an asbestos-related disease due to exposure to asbestos fibers, you may be eligible to file claims or lawsuits, or be involved in any appropriate class action lawsuits, for compensation from the companies responsible for your cancer.
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox pride themselves on their commitment and support to you when investigating your mesothelioma claims. While we can’t find cures or improve your prognosis, we can help you get the compensation you deserve through your litigation. From the initial meeting, your lawyer will explain your legal options and start the research and investigation into the companies named in your claims and lawsuits. We will stay with you throughout every phase of your mesothelioma litigation.
Related Information
To learn more about chemotherapy and how it is used to treat mesothelioma, please read the following pages:
