/ / Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a versatile treatment option for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Despite the side effects involved in most regimens, more than 70 percent of cancer patients choose to undergo several types of chemotherapy to slow tumor growth, reduce symptoms or support surgical treatment.

Most forms of chemotherapy involve the administration of intravenous drugs such as Alimta and Cisplatin. Chemotherapy drugs are targeted at killing cells that rapidly divide by interfering with the processes that occur during cell division.

However, while cancer cells themselves divide rapidly, so do several types of healthy cells, causing some unpleasant side effects that are often associated with this form of treatment. Although older chemotherapy drugs don't seem to help much against mesothelioma, newer chemotherapy drugs show a lot of hope.

A relatively new form of chemotherapy called heating chemotherapy is an option for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
 
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

This treatment is carried out after surgery, and involves the perfusion of chemotherapy drugs that are heated into the peritoneum.

Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly dividing cells, making it an effective way to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors for many mesothelioma patients.

Although chemotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma itself, it can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and prolong survival. Doctors can also use it in combination with surgery, radiation therapy or newer technologies such as immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

With several drugs, dosage levels and administrative methods to choose from, cancer specialists can adjust chemotherapy to each patient's condition, which is why it remains the most common form of treatment for mesothelioma.

No doubt, chemotherapy can be a daunting treatment to consider. Because drugs attack all cells that divide rapidly in the body, both cancerous and healthy, these treatments often have severe side effects including hair loss, vomiting, fatigue and fever.

However, according to a 2016 study that uses data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database, the potential benefits of chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients are significant.

The average survival time for patients who received chemotherapy treatment was 12 months, compared with only four months for those who did not. Combining two lines of chemotherapy with surgical treatment increases overall survival to 16 months.
 
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy


Systemic chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

Chemotherapy
  • The most common treatment for mesothelioma
  • The first line drug combination is pemetrexed / cisplatin
  • Administered orally or intravenously for pleural mesothelioma
  • Can be heated and pumped into the abdominal cavity during surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma
For pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer, chemotherapy drugs are usually injected into the patient's vein from an IV bag or swallowed in pill form. This type of treatment is called "systemic chemotherapy" because drugs enter the patient's bloodstream and affect their entire body.

Systemic chemotherapy drugs are given in cycles, which means the patient receives a dose every few weeks for several months. An experienced mesothelioma specialist must consider the stage of the cancer and the type of cell as well as the patient's body chemistry and overall health to determine the right drug combination, dose, frequency and number of cycles.

Systemic chemotherapy treatment plans vary from patient to patient, but they fall into three general categories:
  • Multimodal therapy: For patients with an initial presentation of mesothelioma and who are healthy enough to withstand aggressive cancer treatment, chemotherapy is often combined with other treatments. Like surgery and radiation therapy "Neoadjuvant chemotherapy" reduces tumor size before surgery, and "adjuvant chemotherapy" reduces the risk of recurrence after surgery.
  • Chemotherapy alone: ​​alone, chemotherapy can still provide an aggressive approach. After undergoing first-line chemotherapy with standard drug combinations, some patients continued to receive second-line chemotherapy with other drugs as well.
  • Palliative chemotherapy: Treatment of aggressive cancer is not recommended for patients with late stage cancer or other complicated health conditions, but a lighter chemotherapy regimen can relieve mesothelioma symptoms for these patients and improve their quality of life.
Researchers are currently developing ways to target chemotherapy drugs so they kill cancer cells more effectively while leaving healthy cells unscathed. Targeted therapy can improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment in the future, but for now, this experimental technology is only available through clinical trials.

Chemotherapy Process

Although chemotherapy procedures always differ from one patient to another, this is the typical timeline of what is expected from your first consultation until the end of treatment.

Consultation

You must discuss the decision to start chemotherapy treatment with your medical team and your family. Make sure the diagnosis and work of your blood have been analyzed by an experienced mesothelioma specialist, and ask your doctor many questions so that you truly understand the pros and cons of chemotherapy. Everyone can react differently to chemotherapy, but if possible, you don't want to be surprised by the side effects that can be anticipated.

Preparation

Doctors often prescribe medication first to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Many patients will need to have a port, catheter or pump inserted in it before they can receive intravenous chemotherapy. Everyone reacts differently to treatment, so make sure you arrange trips to and from your first session.

Treatment

A common chemotherapy trial for mesothelioma will begin with three or four treatment programs, given approximately every three weeks. After taking vital and verifying doses, the nurse will supervise each treatment. Intravenous combination chemotherapy treatment usually includes 30 minutes one drug, then up to two hours of the second drug. Blood tests are often carried out during treatment to ensure ideal effectiveness.

Post-Treatment

Follow-up visits will begin a few weeks after you complete the entire regimen. This is the time to ask more questions, get insight into treatments and discuss their successes or failures and whether treatment is more recommended. Bring a family member to help with the discussion.


Intraoperative Peritoneal and Pleural Chemotherapy

As an alternative to circulating chemicals in the bloodstream, chemotherapy drugs can be injected directly into the area of ​​the body where the tumor is located. For patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, combining the types of surgical chemotherapy has been established as the best treatment approach.

The Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Hyperthermic procedure involves removing as much cancer tissue as possible through surgery and then pumping a chemotherapy solution heated into the abdominal cavity for 60-90 minutes while the patient is still on the operating table.

High temperatures increase the effectiveness of the solution, and the medical staff ensures that it is distributed evenly throughout the abdominal cavity by massaging the area before drying and rinsing it. Because the solution is limited to the abdominal cavity, the side effects are minimal.

In 2009, a multicentre review revealed this multimodal therapeutic approach has helped hundreds of patients live for years after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. While the historical life expectancy for peritoneal mesothelioma is 12 months or less, patients treated with HIPEC have an overall average survival time of 53 months.

"I will do it again, without hesitation," said the survivor of mesothelioma, Jacob Hess, who was diagnosed in 2010. "The method was explained to me, it was a very good choice for surgery. That makes sense. Everyone is different, and no one is 100 percent certain, but I have to believe that the net checks that I get are related to HIPEC. "

A similar type of heated chemotherapy procedure has been tried in the chest cavity for pleural mesothelioma, called hypertermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC), but there is considerable debate about its effectiveness.


First-Line Chemotherapy Medication for Mesothelioma

"First line chemotherapy" offers an approach to treating mesothelioma cancer that is shown most likely to be beneficial for others who have been treated for mesothelioma. First-line chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma is usually a combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin, although doctors can use other drugs depending on a number of factors.

Single drugs can be given to patients who are not healthy enough to handle the combination, although the response rate to a single agent is usually low. The combination of three drugs has not shown better results than a combination of two drugs.

The combination of pemetrexed / cisplatin is likely to continue as a standard first-line treatment regimen for patients with inoperable pleural mesothelioma, according to a 2014 study at the Shizuoka Cancer Center and Juntendo University in Japan.


Second-line chemotherapy drugs

If first-line chemotherapy fails to show positive results, your doctor may prescribe second-line chemotherapy. A second round of chemotherapy may involve the same approach to initial treatment or a completely different drug combination.

In addition, sometimes second-line drugs will be replaced for one of the standard mesothelioma drugs in the first round to reduce combination toxicity for patients. Carboplatin can be replaced for cisplatin, and gemcitabine or doxorubicin can be replaced for pemetrexed.

Other drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include onconase, raltitrex, methotrexate, vincristine, vinblastine, mitomycin, vinorelbine, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.


Side Effects of Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

While radiation therapy and surgery usually only affect the place of care, the side effects of chemotherapy often affect the patient's entire body.
Systemic chemotherapy will harm cells throughout the body that divide rapidly. Hair follicles, for example, are one of the fastest growing cells, and they are easily damaged during treatment, causing many cancer patients to experience temporary hair loss.

Before considering chemotherapy as a treatment option for mesothelioma, it is important to be familiar with the common side effects.

Fatigue

Fatigue affects almost all cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy, causing them to feel tired consistently.

You can adjust mild fatigue by getting enough sleep, taking a short nap and doing light exercise regularly. If fatigue makes it difficult for you to complete a task or task, let friends and relatives help with easy tasks such as shopping for groceries and preparing food.

If you feel weak, dizzy or short of breath, or if your fatigue causes depression or insomnia, call your doctor. They may need to adjust your treatment.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting occur in 70 to 80 percent of chemotherapy patients. These symptoms can occur as soon as the drug is given or develop for several days, and they can disappear within a few hours or last up to a week.

Patients often struggle to maintain a healthy weight when fighting nausea or vomiting. As an additional complication, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can also make it difficult to swallow food.

It is important to stay hydrated and consume small portions of easily digestible foods. You can manage nausea with prescription drugs, including palonesetron (Aloxi), aprepitant (Emend) and ondansetron (Zofran).

Mouth sores

Chemotherapy drugs can damage cells in the mouth, causing problems with the patient's teeth and gums. Patients may also experience painful sores in the mouth if dental hygiene is poor before treatment.

Visiting a dentist a month before starting treatment can help prevent injury. Tooth cleaning is the beginning, but the dentist can also take X-rays to find potential problems and give you tips on how to treat your own gums and mouth sores.

Diarrhea and Constipation

Chemotherapy drugs often irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea and constipation. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients may be more susceptible to these side effects due to cancer-related damage and regular irritation in this part of the body.

You can manage these symptoms with antidiarrheal drugs or laxatives, which are available in most drug stores. Simple changes, such as drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables, can also help alleviate these side effects.

Hair loss

Hair loss may be the most common side effect associated with chemotherapy. Unlike others, unfortunately, it can't be treated. Because hair is one of the healthiest cells that divide most rapidly in our body, hair is very susceptible to damage from chemotherapy drugs. Some patients choose to wear a wig, and some insurance plans will help finance the purchase of wigs.

Chemo Brain

The chemo brain may involve forgetfulness, misty thoughts, and other forms of cognitive impairment. Many chemotherapy patients experience various levels of cognitive disorders ranging from mild to severe. The chemo brain is short-lived in some patients, while others experience chemo-brain symptoms for months or years. Overcoming tips and strategies helps patients manage these symptoms.

Low Blood Amount

Chemotherapy drugs can trigger a decrease in the number of blood cells a few days after the first dose of treatment. A drop of white blood cells (neutropenia) weakens the immune system; decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia) reduces the ability of blood to clot, and a decrease in red blood cells (anemia) causes fatigue.

Side Effects But Serious

Certain side effects of chemotherapy are more serious and must be carefully monitored. These symptoms can show a negative reaction to the drug or infection.

Contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
  • Bloody stool or urine
  • Fever is higher than 100.5 F
  • Unexplained bruises
  • Hard to breathe
  • Intense headaches
Patients who experience severe problems with chemotherapy are encouraged to report it to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Patients can submit a report on the FDA website to help researchers more effectively adjust future care.

Hidden Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Some physical side effects, such as hair loss and weight fluctuations, can cause mesothelioma patients to struggle with self-esteem, which causes depression and other emotional side effects.

In fact, up to 25 percent of cancer patients report feeling depressed during and after treatment. Counselors, support groups, antidepressants and meditation can help patients manage the psychological effects of chemotherapy.

Another little-known side effect is financial poisoning, which refers to "the problems faced by cancer patients in relation to medical costs," according to the National Cancer Institute. Studies have proven that cancer treatment is less effective when patients struggle to buy it, and medical professionals pay more attention to this problem.

Many cancer patients must rely on financial assistance during treatment, and mesothelioma patients are no exception.

Don't be reluctant to discuss any problems that you experience during chemotherapy treatment with your doctor and staff.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a versatile treatment option for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Despite the side effects involved in most regimens, more than 70 percent of cancer patients choose to undergo several types of chemotherapy to slow tumor growth, reduce symptoms or support surgical treatment.

Most forms of chemotherapy involve the administration of intravenous drugs such as Alimta and Cisplatin. Chemotherapy drugs are targeted at killing cells that rapidly divide by interfering with the processes that occur during cell division.

However, while cancer cells themselves divide rapidly, so do several types of healthy cells, causing some unpleasant side effects that are often associated with this form of treatment. Although older chemotherapy drugs don't seem to help much against mesothelioma, newer chemotherapy drugs show a lot of hope.

A relatively new form of chemotherapy called heating chemotherapy is an option for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
 
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

This treatment is carried out after surgery, and involves the perfusion of chemotherapy drugs that are heated into the peritoneum.

Chemotherapy drugs attack rapidly dividing cells, making it an effective way to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors for many mesothelioma patients.

Although chemotherapy cannot cure mesothelioma itself, it can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and prolong survival. Doctors can also use it in combination with surgery, radiation therapy or newer technologies such as immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

With several drugs, dosage levels and administrative methods to choose from, cancer specialists can adjust chemotherapy to each patient's condition, which is why it remains the most common form of treatment for mesothelioma.

No doubt, chemotherapy can be a daunting treatment to consider. Because drugs attack all cells that divide rapidly in the body, both cancerous and healthy, these treatments often have severe side effects including hair loss, vomiting, fatigue and fever.

However, according to a 2016 study that uses data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database, the potential benefits of chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients are significant.

The average survival time for patients who received chemotherapy treatment was 12 months, compared with only four months for those who did not. Combining two lines of chemotherapy with surgical treatment increases overall survival to 16 months.
 
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy


Systemic chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

Chemotherapy
  • The most common treatment for mesothelioma
  • The first line drug combination is pemetrexed / cisplatin
  • Administered orally or intravenously for pleural mesothelioma
  • Can be heated and pumped into the abdominal cavity during surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma
For pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer, chemotherapy drugs are usually injected into the patient's vein from an IV bag or swallowed in pill form. This type of treatment is called "systemic chemotherapy" because drugs enter the patient's bloodstream and affect their entire body.

Systemic chemotherapy drugs are given in cycles, which means the patient receives a dose every few weeks for several months. An experienced mesothelioma specialist must consider the stage of the cancer and the type of cell as well as the patient's body chemistry and overall health to determine the right drug combination, dose, frequency and number of cycles.

Systemic chemotherapy treatment plans vary from patient to patient, but they fall into three general categories:
  • Multimodal therapy: For patients with an initial presentation of mesothelioma and who are healthy enough to withstand aggressive cancer treatment, chemotherapy is often combined with other treatments. Like surgery and radiation therapy "Neoadjuvant chemotherapy" reduces tumor size before surgery, and "adjuvant chemotherapy" reduces the risk of recurrence after surgery.
  • Chemotherapy alone: ​​alone, chemotherapy can still provide an aggressive approach. After undergoing first-line chemotherapy with standard drug combinations, some patients continued to receive second-line chemotherapy with other drugs as well.
  • Palliative chemotherapy: Treatment of aggressive cancer is not recommended for patients with late stage cancer or other complicated health conditions, but a lighter chemotherapy regimen can relieve mesothelioma symptoms for these patients and improve their quality of life.
Researchers are currently developing ways to target chemotherapy drugs so they kill cancer cells more effectively while leaving healthy cells unscathed. Targeted therapy can improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment in the future, but for now, this experimental technology is only available through clinical trials.

Chemotherapy Process

Although chemotherapy procedures always differ from one patient to another, this is the typical timeline of what is expected from your first consultation until the end of treatment.

Consultation

You must discuss the decision to start chemotherapy treatment with your medical team and your family. Make sure the diagnosis and work of your blood have been analyzed by an experienced mesothelioma specialist, and ask your doctor many questions so that you truly understand the pros and cons of chemotherapy. Everyone can react differently to chemotherapy, but if possible, you don't want to be surprised by the side effects that can be anticipated.

Preparation

Doctors often prescribe medication first to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Many patients will need to have a port, catheter or pump inserted in it before they can receive intravenous chemotherapy. Everyone reacts differently to treatment, so make sure you arrange trips to and from your first session.

Treatment

A common chemotherapy trial for mesothelioma will begin with three or four treatment programs, given approximately every three weeks. After taking vital and verifying doses, the nurse will supervise each treatment. Intravenous combination chemotherapy treatment usually includes 30 minutes one drug, then up to two hours of the second drug. Blood tests are often carried out during treatment to ensure ideal effectiveness.

Post-Treatment

Follow-up visits will begin a few weeks after you complete the entire regimen. This is the time to ask more questions, get insight into treatments and discuss their successes or failures and whether treatment is more recommended. Bring a family member to help with the discussion.


Intraoperative Peritoneal and Pleural Chemotherapy

As an alternative to circulating chemicals in the bloodstream, chemotherapy drugs can be injected directly into the area of ​​the body where the tumor is located. For patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, combining the types of surgical chemotherapy has been established as the best treatment approach.

The Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Hyperthermic procedure involves removing as much cancer tissue as possible through surgery and then pumping a chemotherapy solution heated into the abdominal cavity for 60-90 minutes while the patient is still on the operating table.

High temperatures increase the effectiveness of the solution, and the medical staff ensures that it is distributed evenly throughout the abdominal cavity by massaging the area before drying and rinsing it. Because the solution is limited to the abdominal cavity, the side effects are minimal.

In 2009, a multicentre review revealed this multimodal therapeutic approach has helped hundreds of patients live for years after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. While the historical life expectancy for peritoneal mesothelioma is 12 months or less, patients treated with HIPEC have an overall average survival time of 53 months.

"I will do it again, without hesitation," said the survivor of mesothelioma, Jacob Hess, who was diagnosed in 2010. "The method was explained to me, it was a very good choice for surgery. That makes sense. Everyone is different, and no one is 100 percent certain, but I have to believe that the net checks that I get are related to HIPEC. "

A similar type of heated chemotherapy procedure has been tried in the chest cavity for pleural mesothelioma, called hypertermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC), but there is considerable debate about its effectiveness.


First-Line Chemotherapy Medication for Mesothelioma

"First line chemotherapy" offers an approach to treating mesothelioma cancer that is shown most likely to be beneficial for others who have been treated for mesothelioma. First-line chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma is usually a combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin, although doctors can use other drugs depending on a number of factors.

Single drugs can be given to patients who are not healthy enough to handle the combination, although the response rate to a single agent is usually low. The combination of three drugs has not shown better results than a combination of two drugs.

The combination of pemetrexed / cisplatin is likely to continue as a standard first-line treatment regimen for patients with inoperable pleural mesothelioma, according to a 2014 study at the Shizuoka Cancer Center and Juntendo University in Japan.


Second-line chemotherapy drugs

If first-line chemotherapy fails to show positive results, your doctor may prescribe second-line chemotherapy. A second round of chemotherapy may involve the same approach to initial treatment or a completely different drug combination.

In addition, sometimes second-line drugs will be replaced for one of the standard mesothelioma drugs in the first round to reduce combination toxicity for patients. Carboplatin can be replaced for cisplatin, and gemcitabine or doxorubicin can be replaced for pemetrexed.

Other drugs used in the treatment of mesothelioma include onconase, raltitrex, methotrexate, vincristine, vinblastine, mitomycin, vinorelbine, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.


Side Effects of Mesothelioma Chemotherapy

While radiation therapy and surgery usually only affect the place of care, the side effects of chemotherapy often affect the patient's entire body.
Systemic chemotherapy will harm cells throughout the body that divide rapidly. Hair follicles, for example, are one of the fastest growing cells, and they are easily damaged during treatment, causing many cancer patients to experience temporary hair loss.

Before considering chemotherapy as a treatment option for mesothelioma, it is important to be familiar with the common side effects.

Fatigue

Fatigue affects almost all cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy, causing them to feel tired consistently.

You can adjust mild fatigue by getting enough sleep, taking a short nap and doing light exercise regularly. If fatigue makes it difficult for you to complete a task or task, let friends and relatives help with easy tasks such as shopping for groceries and preparing food.

If you feel weak, dizzy or short of breath, or if your fatigue causes depression or insomnia, call your doctor. They may need to adjust your treatment.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting occur in 70 to 80 percent of chemotherapy patients. These symptoms can occur as soon as the drug is given or develop for several days, and they can disappear within a few hours or last up to a week.

Patients often struggle to maintain a healthy weight when fighting nausea or vomiting. As an additional complication, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can also make it difficult to swallow food.

It is important to stay hydrated and consume small portions of easily digestible foods. You can manage nausea with prescription drugs, including palonesetron (Aloxi), aprepitant (Emend) and ondansetron (Zofran).

Mouth sores

Chemotherapy drugs can damage cells in the mouth, causing problems with the patient's teeth and gums. Patients may also experience painful sores in the mouth if dental hygiene is poor before treatment.

Visiting a dentist a month before starting treatment can help prevent injury. Tooth cleaning is the beginning, but the dentist can also take X-rays to find potential problems and give you tips on how to treat your own gums and mouth sores.

Diarrhea and Constipation

Chemotherapy drugs often irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea and constipation. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients may be more susceptible to these side effects due to cancer-related damage and regular irritation in this part of the body.

You can manage these symptoms with antidiarrheal drugs or laxatives, which are available in most drug stores. Simple changes, such as drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables, can also help alleviate these side effects.

Hair loss

Hair loss may be the most common side effect associated with chemotherapy. Unlike others, unfortunately, it can't be treated. Because hair is one of the healthiest cells that divide most rapidly in our body, hair is very susceptible to damage from chemotherapy drugs. Some patients choose to wear a wig, and some insurance plans will help finance the purchase of wigs.

Chemo Brain

The chemo brain may involve forgetfulness, misty thoughts, and other forms of cognitive impairment. Many chemotherapy patients experience various levels of cognitive disorders ranging from mild to severe. The chemo brain is short-lived in some patients, while others experience chemo-brain symptoms for months or years. Overcoming tips and strategies helps patients manage these symptoms.

Low Blood Amount

Chemotherapy drugs can trigger a decrease in the number of blood cells a few days after the first dose of treatment. A drop of white blood cells (neutropenia) weakens the immune system; decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia) reduces the ability of blood to clot, and a decrease in red blood cells (anemia) causes fatigue.

Side Effects But Serious

Certain side effects of chemotherapy are more serious and must be carefully monitored. These symptoms can show a negative reaction to the drug or infection.

Contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
  • Bloody stool or urine
  • Fever is higher than 100.5 F
  • Unexplained bruises
  • Hard to breathe
  • Intense headaches
Patients who experience severe problems with chemotherapy are encouraged to report it to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Patients can submit a report on the FDA website to help researchers more effectively adjust future care.

Hidden Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Some physical side effects, such as hair loss and weight fluctuations, can cause mesothelioma patients to struggle with self-esteem, which causes depression and other emotional side effects.

In fact, up to 25 percent of cancer patients report feeling depressed during and after treatment. Counselors, support groups, antidepressants and meditation can help patients manage the psychological effects of chemotherapy.

Another little-known side effect is financial poisoning, which refers to "the problems faced by cancer patients in relation to medical costs," according to the National Cancer Institute. Studies have proven that cancer treatment is less effective when patients struggle to buy it, and medical professionals pay more attention to this problem.

Many cancer patients must rely on financial assistance during treatment, and mesothelioma patients are no exception.

Don't be reluctant to discuss any problems that you experience during chemotherapy treatment with your doctor and staff.
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy