Chemotherapy uses special drugs to kill cancer cells. They are normally given by injection or through a tube directly into a vein. The drugs reach the cancer cells wherever they are in the body. A number of drugs are also available to reduce the risk of a cancer coming back, or to treat it if it does return. The drugs alone will not cure mesothelioma.

For some patients, chemotherapy will be given following surgery. The medical name for this is adjuvant chemotherapy.

There are several different drugs available. They may be given in different schedules to suit your individual needs. Your oncologist (tumour specialist) and the chemotherapy nurses will discuss the details with you.

Peritoneal mesothelioma may be treated by giving the drugs directly into the abdomen.

The side-effects you may experience depend on which drugs you are receiving, and they vary from patient to patient. They will be explained to you by your specialist team.

Related links
Chemotherapy - general