Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer usually diagnosed in late stage where treatment focus is palliative versus curative.  The three most common frontline therapies are surgery (when possible), chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  Almost all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma choose to undergo some form of chemotherapy, combining this with other interventions.

One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting.  The usual treatment of this is a combination of both intravenous and oral antiemetics – drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting.  The problem is that taking the oral medication post-treatment can be difficult when the patient is already feeling nauseated or vomiting.  New research has revealed another option – a long acting patch that can be worn on the skin instead of taking pills. 

Doctors presented research results at the Fifth Annual Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference showing that the use of a combination of transdermal granisetron (Sancuso) and intravenous granisetron was a safe and well tolerated alternative.  Sancuso is a patch that delivers granisetron through the skin for up to five days.  It is usually applied onto the skin a day or two before chemotherapy begins, and after five days is replaced with another patch.  This method provides immediate and effective management of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Granisetron is a type of medication called 5HT₃ inhibitors, which stops the release of serotonin from the stomach and intestine, preventing it from communicating with the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting.   The patch is applied to the skin much like a band-aid, and should be worn continuously for the length prescribed by the doctor. 

Research is ongoing, but for mesothelioma patients who undergoing chemotherapy treatment, this new method of nausea control can be very effective in minimizing side effects.  Consult with your oncologist to see if Sancuso might be a viable option for you and your treatment plan.