According to Medline Plus, mesothelioma is the cancer that affects the tissue that lines the internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and stomach. The main treatments for mesothelioma cancer are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the three.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an anti-cancer drug that is designed to kill the cancer cells. There are more than 100 different types of chemo drugs and they can be administered in a variety of ways.
Delivery Methods
Pills, injections and surgical procedures that directly place the chemo inside the chest or abdominal cavity are the preferred methods of delivery according to the experts at the American Cancer Society.
Combination Treatment
Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery and radiation treatments to prevent further spreading or to kill the cancer cells.
Side Effects
Common side effects of chemo are hair loss, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, anemia, loss of appetite, increased fatigue and infertility.
Duration
Chemo treatments are given in cycles. A typical chemo cycle may last up to four weeks. According to the experts at the American Cancer Society, individuals may be given two to three weeks of chemo and then one week to rest.
