While mesothelioma cancer does not currently have a cure, there are many treatment options for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. Besides surgery, there are a number of prescription drugs available that can help reduce the side effects.
Your doctor will help you determine the best course of action to treat your mesothelioma with you, including which drugs should be prescribed. Some mesothelioma drugs that are currently available on the market include:
- Alimta – The first FDA approved medication for mesothelioma
- Carboplatin – This drug is currently used experimentally
- Cisplatin – A platinum based drug that can be combined safely with others
- Gemcitabine – Primarily used to treat pancreatic, bladder, and breast cancers, it has been found to be successful in treating some cases of mesothelioma
- Navelbine – A chemotherapy drug that has a slightly higher success rate
- Onconase – This drug can be used to kill mesothelioma cancer cells, according to some studies
Chemotherapy has side effects such as nausea, weight loss, vomiting, hair loss, and increased vulnerability to infection that have to be considered as well.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to someone exposing you to asbestos, please contact Brown | Kiely, LLP. We serve clients in and around Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
