Radiation Therapy and Mesothelioma: Managing Side Effects
Radiation therapy is recommended for almost all patients that are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The most common side effects of radiation are nausea and vomiting, clinically referred to as radiation induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).
RINV can be very debilitating and on occasion cause patients to want to delay or decline radiation therapy, which then can lead to decrease in effectiveness of treatment, increased need for costly medical interventions, and even death due to treatment interruption.
Whether you are the patient diagnosed with mesothelioma or a loved one or caregiver, watching the devastating side effects of radiation treatment can be very difficult. I am witnessing first hand just how distressing RINV can be as my good friend has just begun treatment. Ten days ago, we were able to have coherent, albeit serious, conversations. Now, two treatments later, those conversations are no longer possible. The pain of having stage four tumors in multiple sites along with the side effects of radiation therapy have required the prescription of pain killers and medications that have zapped the life out of him. His voice is weak, and it’s difficult for him to follow even basic conversation or to answer questions without great effort.
Because my friend has limited funds and medical coverage, they are not treating him prophylactically with the effective medications that could help alleviate the nausea and vomiting. Instead, he had to develop really bad symptoms before they would prescribe anything to help. Current medications that help alleviate RINV exist, and should be used to prevent the severity of side effects even before the first treatment. To read more about the best drugs available to help with the side effects of radiation, please read “Radiotherapy Induced Nausea from Mesothelioma Treatments.”
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and are undergoing radiation therapy, ask to be given an antiemetic regiment PRIOR to starting treatment. If you are denied because of funds or lack of insurance coverage, contact a mesothelioma lawyer to help you get the funds necessary to pay for adequate treatment.
Mesothelioma attorneys who specialize in asbestos lawsuits are more knowledgeable about asbestos related diseases and treatments and more experienced in getting you the financial compensation you need in a timely manner. Please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-440-4262 or visit our website Helping Mesothelioma Patients.
