Chemotherapy

Mesothelioma Treatment - Chemotherapy - Carboplatin

Throughout the years since chemotherapeutic drugs have been available for the treatment of mesothelioma, doctors have experimented with the use of many different chemo drugs, including Carboplatin. Introduced in the late 1980s, Carboplatin is favored by many physicians because its side effects are much less severe in comparison to many other chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly Cisplatin, which is the 'parent' drug of Carboplatin (meaning that Carboplatin is a modified form of Cisplatin). Carboplatin is most commonly used to treat ovarian, lung, head and neck cancers, but has shown some success in treating mesothelioma as well.

Most chemotherapeutic drugs, including Carboplatin, work simply by killing cells. Carboplatin kills cells by entering them and binding to the cell's DNA, preventing the cell from dividing and from functioning normally, eventually killing the cell.

These drugs tend to target cancer cells because they are attracted only to cells that are dividing rapidly, as cancer cells do. However, there are some types of healthy cells in the human body that divide as rapidly as cancer cells, and that means when Carboplatin chemotherapeutic treatment is given, these cells are also killed. This may include cells that are involved in hair growth, and some types of immune cells.

Treatment with Carboplatin

Carboplatin chemotherapy is typically administered on an out-patient basis at a hospital or cancer treatment center, and the drug is given intravenously, usually once every 28 days. However, in cases where a patient with mesothelioma requires more frequent chemotherapy, or where Carboplatin treatment is combined with other treatments or drugs, it may be administered on an in-patient basis, requiring a stay of two or more consecutive days in the hospital.

If your doctor or oncologist recommends treatment with Carboplatin, remember to discuss with him/her any medications which you are already taking, including both prescription medicines and over the counter remedies or supplements that you consume on a regular basis.

Anyone with kidney disease is discouraged from seeking treatment with carboplatin, so it is essential to inform your doctor of any kidney problems you may have. It should be noted that Carboplatin, like most chemo drugs, is harmful to unborn babies, so women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use this drug.

Side Effects of Carboplatin

Side effects of Carboplatin are, in general, less severe than those associated with some other chemotherapeutic agents. However, patients taking this drug can still expect to experience some unpleasant side effects, which may include:

  • Hair loss
  • Loss of immune function
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Impaired vision or hearing
  • Feelings of fatigue or weakness
  • Increased tendency for bruising or bleeding (due to poor clotting)

Because people who are treated with Carboplatin for mesothelioma typically experience reduced immune system function, they are more prone to infection. This means even a cold may be significantly more dangerous to a patient receiving this treatment. Anyone who is being treated with Carboplatin should take care to avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections.

A potentially serious side effect of Carboplatin is kidney damage. The symptoms of kidney damage usually include pain or difficulty in urinating, or the appearance of blood in the urine.

The appearance of any symptoms, whether mild or serious, should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible. Your cancer doctor may be able to provide you with medication to help alleviate some of these side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. In order to avoid potential life-threatening complications, anyone who is taking Carboplatin should seek medical advice if they contract any kind of infection, or any signs of fever, chills, rash, or sore throat.

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