Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the lining of the abdomen, heart, and testicles. The most common cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and other industries until the late 20th century. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for advanced mesothelioma, but its success rates can vary depending on several factors.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. The drugs are usually given intravenously, but can also be taken orally or delivered directly to the affected area through a catheter. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy. The goal of chemotherapy is to shrink the tumor, slow its growth, and relieve symptoms.
The success rates of chemotherapy for advanced mesothelioma depend on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the type of chemotherapy drugs used, and the patient’s overall health. The most common chemotherapy drugs used for mesothelioma are cisplatin and pemetrexed, which are usually given together. Other drugs that may be used include carboplatin, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine. Clinical trials are also investigating new drugs and drug combinations for mesothelioma.
In general, the success rates of chemotherapy for mesothelioma are modest. According to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2020, the median overall survival for patients with advanced mesothelioma who received cisplatin and pemetrexed was 12.1 months. The median progression-free survival, which is the length of time before the cancer starts growing again, was 6.2 months. The response rate, which is the percentage of patients whose tumors shrank or disappeared after chemotherapy, was 28.4%. The study included data from 1,715 patients who participated in clinical trials between 1999 and 2018.
However, the success rates of chemotherapy can vary depending on several factors. For example, patients who are younger, have better overall health, and have a lower stage of cancer may have better outcomes. Patients who have a specific subtype of mesothelioma known as epithelioid mesothelioma may also have better outcomes than those with other subtypes. In addition, the success rates of chemotherapy may be improved by combining it with other treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy can also have side effects, which can vary depending on the drugs used and the patient’s overall health. Common side effects of chemotherapy for mesothelioma include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, decreased appetite, and low blood counts. More serious side effects, such as kidney damage and nerve damage, are less common but can occur. Patients receiving chemotherapy should be closely monitored by their healthcare team and should report any side effects immediately.
In conclusion, chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for advanced mesothelioma, but its success rates can vary depending on several factors. The most common chemotherapy drugs used for mesothelioma are cisplatin and pemetrexed, which are usually given together. According to a systematic review and meta-analysis, the median overall survival for patients with advanced mesothelioma who received cisplatin and pemetrexed was 12.1 months. However, the success rates of chemotherapy can vary depending on several factors, such as the stage of cancer, the type of drugs used, and the patient’s overall health. Patients receiving chemotherapy should be closely monitored by their healthcare team and should report any side effects immediately.
