Chemotherapy for mesothelioma

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout the body in your bloodstream. It can help shrink or control advanced mesothelioma.

You might have chemotherapy for mesothelioma that starts in the tissue covering:

  • your lung (pleural mesothelioma)
  • your tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma)

Chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma

Chemotherapy can be used to help shrink or control pleural mesothelioma for some time. You will have to be fit enough to cope with the side effects to have this treatment. 

Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma

Chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma aims to shrink the tumour and control it for some time. You might have chemotherapy into your vein, or directly into your tummy (abdomen).

Last reviewed: 
25 May 2023
Next review due: 
25 May 2026