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Treating Mesothelioma – Chemotherapy - Cisplatin
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles. Asbestos exposure accounts for up to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases, but some individuals (about 20 percent) are diagnosed with the disease without any known history of contact with the substance. This rare disease is marked by the presence of malignant cells in the mesothelium, a membrane that protects most internal organs. This form of cancer can invade nearby body tissues, ultimately destroying them. The malignant cells can also metastasize, affecting other parts of the body.
Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug, is one of the available treatments for mesothelioma. It contains platinum, which is commonly used in treating other types of cancer. Cisplatin has not always been considered effective for treating this disease. However, recent strides have been made by combining it with other chemotherapy drugs, such as Alimta. When combined with Alimta, Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapy treatment. It also has a high response rate when it is combined with Gemcitabine, a drug used in treating a variety of carcinomas.
Typically, Cisplatin treatment is used for mesothelioma patients who are not good candidates for curative surgery. In such cases, the drug is used to kill cancer cells in the patient’s body. However, Cisplatin chemotherapy is not used with the intention of curing the disease. Instead, its use is palliative, serving to relieve or soothe the patient’s symptoms.
A colorless liquid, Cisplatin is administered as a drip infusion through a very thin tube that is inserted in the patient’s vein. Alternatively, it can be administered using a central line under the patient’s skin, entering through a vein near the collarbone. It can also be given through a vein in the patient’s arm.
Though each person reacts to this medication differently, there are some common side effects associated with it. Some using Cisplatin to treat mesothelioma experience such side effects as nausea, vomiting, hearing changes, and temporary taste changes. Sometimes the patient’s kidneys are affected, and she may experience tingling or numbness in the hands and feet as well. These common side effects do not affect every patient, and their presence and intensity may change based on any other chemotherapy medications that are being used at the same time. Furthermore, there are medications that may be used to reduce some the more common but unpleasant side effects.
When Cisplatin chemotherapy affects the kidneys, most patients are only mildly affected and don’t experience any symptoms. However, in some cases, the effect on the kidneys is severe and permanent damage is possible. To avoid such damage, each patient is given a blood test for kidney function before treatment. The patient is also given intravenous fluids both before and after treatment to encourage proper kidney function. Sometimes, patients are asked to record when they consume fluids and urinate. When necessary, medication is given to help the patient pass urine.
Some patients treating mesothelioma with Cisplatin may experience less-common side effects, such as lowered infection resistance. This occurs when the drug decreases the patient’s white-blood-cell production, leaving him with a greater susceptibility to infection. Usually, this particular side effect starts about seven days after chemotherapy, peaking around 10 to 14 days after the medication was administered. Typically, this decreased resistance is only temporary, and the white-blood-cell count increases, reaching normal levels about three to four weeks after treatment.
Mesothelioma patients may also experience other less-common side effects that affect the blood. Since Cisplatin can cause a decrease in platelet production, it can lead to bruising or bleeding in some cases. For example, a patient may experience unexplained nosebleeds or bleeding gums. Sometimes, blood spots appear on the skin as well. This chemotherapy drug can also lead to anemia (reduced red-blood-cell levels), a conditioned marked by fatigue and a feeling of breathlessness. Side-effect symptoms usually disappear within days after treatment is stopped.
- National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov - "Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers"
- Cancer Backup, Cancerbackup.org.uk - "Cisplatin"