Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used techniques in the treatment of all cancer. Malignant mesothelioma patients have been treated with chemotherapy extensively because often surgery is not an option for patient with advanced-stage tumors. For the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, the only chemotherapy regimen certified by the Food and Drug Administration is a cocktail of Alimta (permetrexed) and Cisplatin. This drug regimen has proven to be one of the most important treatment cycles for patients battling the difficult and debilitating symptoms of mesothelioma. While mesothelioma has no cure, the Alimta cocktail can lessen pain and slow the growth of cancer within the body.
Chemotherapy works by introducing, into the body, certain toxins which target cancer cells. The drugs are typically administered intravenously, and will seek out the cancer cells within the bloodstream as well as those at the tumor’s origin. Chemotherapy, while it is a useful for a majority of patients, is not right for everyone. Chemotherapy is often accompanied by difficult side effects, which some patients may find unmanageable depending on their overall health and the stage of the mesothelioma. These side effects may include but are not limited to hair loss, fatigue, nausea, weight loss, and weakened immune defense.
The treatment cycle for Alimta chemotherapy is exact and is regulated by the FDA. Alimta is administered on a 21-day cycle. On day one, the patient will receive a dosage of Alimta via IV. The drug is administered on a delayed drip, so the first phase will usually take between 15 and 20 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes after the Alimta is administered, a platinum agent will be administered to the patient, which in this case is Cisplatin. This drip is even slower and total dosage administration will take approximately 2 hours. For the next 20 days the patient will receive no treatment. On day 22, the process will be repeated. Amount of treatments is dependant on how the cancer is responding to the treatment as well as how the patient is managing the side effects of the chemotherapy.
Any side effects experienced as a result of a chemotherapy treatment should be reported to the patient’s physician or cancer specialist. There are other drugs they can prescribe to make these side effects more manageable.