Mesothelioma Treatment - Chemotherapy - Gemcitabine

One of the chemotherapeutic drugs available for the treatment of mesothelioma is Gemcitabine, most often used to treat pancreatic, bladder, and breast cancers. Doctors have also found some success with Gemcitabine in the treatment of certain types of lung cancer (including pleural mesothelioma), and often use the drug in combination with another chemotherapy drug to treat these forms of cancer.

Most chemotherapeutic drugs, including Gemcitabine, work simply by killing cells with complex chemical reactions. Gemcitabine can slow the growth of asbestos cancers by killing existing cancer cells and interfering with DNA replication in other cells.

Chemotherapeutic drugs such as Gemcitabine target cells that are dividing rapidly, including cancer cells. Unfortunately, the treatment may also affect some healthy cells, including cells that are involved in hair growth and immunity cells. This is why many chemotherapy patients lose hair and become easily susceptible to illness.

Gemcitabine Treatment for Mesothelioma

Gemcitabine chemotherapy is most often performed on an out-patient basis and is administered intravenously. Treatment with Gemcitabine typically involves a trip to a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital. The procedure usually takes a few hours, with the actual administration of Gemcitabine lasting around 30 minutes. In most cases, Gemcitabine is administered once a week for up to seven weeks, though the length of treatment and strength of dosage will depend on the type and stage of cancer being treated.

When considering treatment with Gemcitabine it is necessary for patients to inform their doctor of current medications being taken, including all prescription drugs and any supplements or over-the-counter medications. In addition, anyone who has impaired liver or kidney function is generally not advised to use Gemcitabine, as the drug can cause severe liver and kidney damage. Since Gemcitabine and most chemotherapy drugs are known to be harmful to unborn babies, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use this drug.

Side Effects of Gemcitabine

Side effects of treatment with Gemcitabine include the following:

Nausea and vomiting
Tendency to bruise or bleed easily
Constipation or diarrhea
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or hands (edema)
Less frequent urination
Blood in urine, or particularly dark urine
Change in kidney function
Change in liver function
Chest pain
Numbness or weakness, most often on one side of the body
Confusion, balance impairment, or impaired vision or speech
Fever, chills, aching body (similar to symptoms of flu)
Sores or white patches inside the mouth
Pain or swelling at the location where Gemcitabine was administered

Those who are treated with Gemcitabine (and other chemotherapy drugs) have reduced immune system function since the drug kills certain immune cells. If you are taking Gemcitabine for mesothelioma, it's important to avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections.

Sources:

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