Vitamin C Could Affect Mesothelioma Treatments

Vitamin C Could Affect Mesothelioma Treatments

Research from physicians with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York have discovered that the consumption of vitamin C supplements among cancer patients, including those with mesothelioma, may be causing negative effects on a mesothelioma patient by reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and treatments.

The research was published in a recent issue of the journal Cancer Research where details were reported including the fact that anywhere between 30 and 70 percent fewer cancer cells were effectively treated with chemotherapy upon the administration of vitamin C to cancer patients.

According to the study, mesothelioma cancer help victims should be very aware of the potential risk of consuming vitamin C during chemotherapy treatments because achieving a positive outcome during mesothelioma treatments is difficult enough without additional setback.

Chemotherapy and Mesothelioma Cancer

Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for cancer and can be administered in a number of ways, via a pill or through an needle injection. Chemotherapy can is also administered either intrapleurally, which is directly into the chest cavity, or intraperitoneally, which is an injection of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Chemotherapy is currently the main treatment for mesothelioma and can be given at any stage of mesothelioma. According to the ACS, the following are drugs used in combination during chemotherapy:

* methotrexate and vincristine
* cisplatin, vinblastine and mitomycin
* cisplatin and doxorubicin
* doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and cisplatin



During chemotherapy, there are several additional side effects that occur but will usually disappear after treatment is stopped. The ACS describes the following as chemotherapy side effects:

* nausea
* vomiting
* loss of appetite
* loss of hair
* mouth sores
* bleeding or bruising after minor cuts/injuries
* fatigue or shortness of breath


Living With Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, the outcome for mesothelioma cancer patients is rather grim as it is difficult to stop or reverse severe scarring that may have occurred within the lining of the lungs while the condition remained dormant. However, new treatments continue to be studied and researched and the potential for a mesothelioma patient being able to participate in clinical trials that may offer a more positive outcome is becoming more available as light continues to be shed on this one-time rare condition.

In order for a patient to receive and pay for costly treatments, it may be necessary for a mesothelioma victim to consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can provide a free legal consultation regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit. Building a mesothelioma case may provide a return of monetary compensation as mesothelioma is considered a preventable disease. Many individuals have been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust, which are the main causes of mesothelioma cancer, through work within the construction industry, naval industry and mining.

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