There may be a new protocol that can help mesothelioma sufferers avoid the horrible skin rash that can sometimes accompany chemotherapy. The most popular chemotherapy drug for pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs) is called pemetrexed (Alimta). While this drug is the only FDA approved treatment for this type of cancer, it oftentimes causes a horrible, itchy, blistering rash. Typically, 16% of patients that have been given pemetrexed develop the rash, which if it progresses, can be fatal.
Physicians have already discovered that there is a treatment that can help prevent the rash from developing — treatment with a steroid called dexamethasone. However, the only way this steroid can prevent the rash is if it’s taken twice a day on the day before, the day of, and the day after chemotherapy. If a patient misses a dose, it increases their chances of contracting the rash.
The good news is that researchers believe they have found an easier way to prevent this rash. The researchers published their work in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice stating that a single, higher dose of dexamethasone can be just as effective as multiple smaller doses. This means that, rather than risking a patient forgetting to take their steroid, they only have to be administered the drug one time to prevent the post-chemotherapy rash, which is clearly good news for mesothelioma sufferers.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that most commonly develops in the lining of the lungs, but can also attack the lining of the heart, testicles, or abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, which are released when the product is used in a variety of commercial applications including commercial buildings, ships, roofing, and insulation, among others.
If an employer was warned of the dangers of asbestos exposure, but didn’t take the proper precautions to protect you as their employee, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against them. Our Washington D.C. mesothelioma claim attorneys at The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP can help you file your lawsuit. We have decades of experience and understand how to navigate such a niche area of the law. For a free case evaluation, please contact us today by calling (410) 625-9330.
