Alimta cisplatin regimen Malignant Mesothelioma
The chemotherapy is the use of drugs for the treatment of patients with cancer. These drugs can be used to the size of the tumors before surgery, or as a primary treatment, if the patient is not a candidate for the surgery. The chemotherapy is effective, because the toxic substances have the greatest effect on the fast-growing cells, such as found in the tumors. Normal, the fast-growing cells, like the cells of the bone marrow, the digestive tract, mouth, stomach, and the hair (discernible hair loss caused by chemotherapy patients) can also be performed. Common side effects of chemotherapy, anemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, skin rashes and pain.
Alimta, in combination with the standard drug, cisplatin, is the first and only one in the chemotherapy have proved effective in extending the lives of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma when surgery is not an option. The clinical studies have shown that the average life expectancy of patients has been postponed by nearly 30% compared to the cisplatin alone. 50.3% of patients, the association has a year later, while cisplatin alone, the survival rate of 38% in a year. Alimta-cisplatin is the only therapy, must by the FDA for the treatment of non-surgical malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Treatment with ALIMTA
ALIMTA is a medicine by a doctor. Frequency and dosage of the treatment depends on the individual case. Alimta patients are required to take the folic acid, vitamin 5 to 7 days prior to the treatment to help reduce the side effects. The folic acid dose depends on the type and the advice of a doctor, but standard doses between 350 and 1000 micrograms (the amount by a multi-vitamin pill). The patients are usually required to stop taking folic acid for 21 days after the last round of Alimta.
A doctor is also an injection Muskelaufbau vitamin B-12 during the week before the treatment. Regular B-12 shots continued to be used for the treatment and can only be granted, probably on the same day as Alimta.
An oral steroid known as dexamethasone may reduce, skin rashes and other side effects. Most diets Alimta includes a double dose daily on the eve of the day, and day after treatment. Patients are asked not to take anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and forgo alcohol.
The adverse effects of Alimta
Vitamin B 12 and folic acid can usually reduce the side effects of treatment Alimta, but it can cause serious side effects, which may require the reduction, suspension or termination of therapy. Patients can see the side effects in a category known by the name of the patient estimated toxicities. Some of the most common of these side effects are top. If a patient from the experience that these side effects or other unpleasant reactions, he or she must inform the doctor.
Paper toxicities are the type of adverse effects that the patient can not be in the loop. These side effects may also make changes in the cells, blood or asymptotically deterioration of the internal organs. Alimta treatment includes regular laboratory tests to monitor the possibility of these side effects.