Chemotherapy

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. However, 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 chemo drug to treat these types of cancer.

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

Chemotherapeutic drugs like Gemcitabine target cells that are dividing rapidly, such as cancer cells. However, the treatment may also affect some healthy cells, including cells that are involved in hair growth and some types of immune cells. This is why many chemo patients lose their hair and are easily susceptible to illness.

Gemcitabine Treatment for Mesothelioma

Gemcitabine chemotherapy is most often administered on an out-patient basis, and the drug is given intravenously. Treatment with Gemcitabine typically means a trip to a doctor's office, clinic or hospital, and the entire procedure usually lasts 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 the cancer being treated.

When considering treatment with Gemcitabine, it is necessary to inform your doctor as to what medications you currently take, including all prescription drugs and any supplements or over-the-counter meds that you use regularly. In addition, anyone who has impaired liver or kidney function is generally advised not to use Gemcitabine, as the drug can cause severe liver and kidney damage. It is essential that your doctor be aware of any kidney or liver problems you may already be experiencing.

Finally, because 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 side where Gemcitabine was administered

Some of these symptoms are more serious in nature, because they indicate either kidney damage (in the case of changes in urination and urine) or infection (such as in the case of flu symptoms).

People who are treated with Gemcitabine (and other chemotherapy drugs) have reduced immune system function, because the drug kills some types of immune cells. If you are taking Gemcitabine for mesothelioma, it's important to avoid contact with people who have colds or other infections. Report any illness to your doctor immediately.

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