Mesothelioma Medications
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that primarily attacks the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos, typically decades before any symptoms present. You and your family member are going through an extremely difficult time, physically, emotionally and financially. Even before you consult with an attorney, you need to find a doctor who is on the cutting edge of researching and treating a very complex disease, one who will administer the latest and most effective medications available.
At Stern Law, PLLC, we appreciate how difficult a mesothelioma diagnosis can be for you and your loved ones. For decades, we have successfully helped other mesothelioma victims and want to help you or your family as you work through treatment. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at (844) 808-7529 to learn more about available legal rights and options, including trial and out-of-court claim opportunities. You or your loved ones may be entitled to significant compensation. We are ready to help make a difference, so don’t wait – pick up the phone and call us now.
What Will My Course of Treatment Include?
Depending on the time mesothelioma first presents, options to manage this aggressive cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and multimodality treatment (where chemotherapy is combined with surgery, radiation or both). Currently, specialists do not consider any specific form of therapy as standard. The methods previously recognized–surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy alone–have not improved survival.
Will I undergo Chemotherapy?
Most mesothelioma patients undergo chemotherapy in one form or another. If you are candidate for surgery, your specialist will administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy drugs to reduce the tumor size before the surgery. Following surgery, your specialist may administer radiation, together with adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Patients who are not surgical candidates typically undergo chemotherapy alone, or in combination with radiation.
What Drugs Are Used In Chemotherapy?
The most common chemotherapy drugs are cisplatin combined with pemetrexed (Alimta) or raltitrexed (Tomudex). Other combinations, include gemcitabine carboplatin or oxaliplatin. Chemotherapeutic drugs are given in cycles. The duration, frequency and total number of cycles vary from patient to patient.
Are There Other Forms of Therapeutic Drug Treatment That Might Cure Mesothelioma?
Clinical researchers are constantly working on new forms of therapeutic drug treatment. These include targeted drug therapy (drugs that attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells) and immuno-gene therapy (immune-stimulating agents delivered to the intra-pleural space to activate the body’s defense mechanisms). To date, initial data indicates positive results that hopefully suggest that these cutting-edge drugs may have a huge impact on overall survival.
What Medications Are Available For Pain?
Patients typically experience varying degrees of pain during the course of their disease. These symptoms progress with the stage of the disease and whether the patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation at the time. Depending on the stage of the disease, the status of therapy, and the degree of pain, medications can range from over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-nausea medications, to prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, to intense opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, etc.).
Have You Been Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Contact Stern Law, PLLC Today
At Stern Law, PLLC, we understand the complexities associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis, and want to help you and your family. We take the time you need to review your case, determine the sources of your exposure, and develop a plan of action to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 to schedule your free consultation with one of our seasoned mesothelioma attorneys.
