Chemotherapy is systemic therapy. Several anticancer drugs have been used to treat mesothelioma. Other drugs that may be given alone include cisplatin and methotrexate. These anticancer drugs are often given in combination to try to increase their effectiveness. Other drugs such as paclitaxel and irinotecan are currently being studied to determine their effectiveness in treating mesothelioma.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells but also damage some normal cells.
Therefore, careful attention must be given to avoiding or minimizing side effects, which depend on the specific drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of hair, and mouth sores. Because chemotherapy can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are remedies for many of the temporary side effects of chemotherapy.