Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

Understanding the Side Effects of Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatments are designed to slow or stop the cancer and help patients live longer. However, they can also take a toll on the body. Common treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation may harm healthy tissues and cells.

As a result, many mesothelioma patients experience different side effects related to their specific cancer treatment regimen. The side effects range from mild and temporary to serious health complications or chronic issues.

Common mesothelioma treatment side effects include:

• Anemia
• Appetite loss
• Chemo brain (mental fog)
• Chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue or weakness
• Fever
• Itching
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Nausea
• Trouble breathing
• Skin rash

However, by working with cancer specialists, it’s possible to manage or lessen many mesothelioma side effects. Changing doses, adding pain-relieving (palliative) therapies, or pausing aggressive treatments can all make side effects easier to bear.

As a mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of families across the United States secure compensation to manage the steep costs of treatment, palliative care, and everyday expenses.

Mesothelioma Side Effects by Type of Treatment

Mesothelioma side effects can vary depending on which treatments you receive, which is usually decided based on the cancer’s location, stage, your overall health, and other factors.

Different mesothelioma treatments can cause unique side effects:

• Surgery: Comes with a risk of scarring, infection, air leaks, bleeding, and serious issues like sepsis.
• Chemotherapy: Can lead to chemo brain, hair loss, mouth sores, and fatigue.
• Radiation therapy: Causes minor side effects like dry mouth and hair loss as well as more serious issues like lung inflammation, kidney damage, and more.
• Immunotherapy: May lead to skin rash, joint pain, a cough, and complications like hepatitis in some cases.
• Targeted therapy: Causes dry skin, blood clotting, anemia, and may lead to pneumonia or sepsis in cases of severe reactions.

Learn about common side effects for each mesothelioma treatment option and what can be done to manage them below.

Mesothelioma Surgery Side Effects

Different surgical options allow doctors to take mesothelioma tumors out of the body. However, since mesothelioma surgery involves physically cutting into healthy tissue, it can lead to side effects like discomfort as well as more significant complications.

There are several types of mesothelioma surgeries that could be used, and each has its own advantages and risks with respect to side effects.

Here are common mesothelioma side effects for surgeries: 

• Cytoreduction with HIPEC: Treats peritoneal mesothelioma through abdominal surgery and then washing the surgical site with heated chemotherapy. This surgery can cause side effects like embolisms, intestinal fistula (connection between the intestine and another organ), bleeding, electrolyte imbalances, and sepsis, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Used to treat pleural mesothelioma by removing the lung nearest to the cancer tumors, the lung lining (pleura), and tumors. Potential EPP side effects include acute respiratory distress syndrome, chylothorax (lymph node fluid in lung lining), deep vein thrombosis, and empyema (pus in lung lining).
• Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Also recommended for pleural mesothelioma, this surgery spares both lungs while taking out the pleura and cancer tumors. Common side effects of a P/D include long-term air leak issues, deep vein thrombosis, atrial fibrillation, chylothorax, and empyema.
• General surgery side effects: Broadly speaking, mesothelioma surgeries can cause issues like pneumonia, nerve damage, scarring at the surgical site, infections, bleeding, blood clots, and pain.

Mesothelioma surgery also comes with a low risk of fatal complications. About 2.2% to 6% of patients pass away following pleural mesothelioma surgery, according to The Cardiothoracic Surgeon. Up to 8% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients die from complications from side effects of surgery.

Working with experienced doctors can help patients and families better understand potential side effects or complications of mesothelioma surgery ahead of time.

Chemotherapy Mesothelioma Side Effects

Chemotherapy, one of the most common ways to treat mesothelioma, involves using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. However, it also damages healthy tissues and cells in the body, leading to side effects.

Typically, side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy ease when the treatment plan ends, but some can linger for long spans of time afterward, per the ACS.

Side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy may include:

• Appetite loss
• Blood count changes
• Confusion or mental fog (chemo brain)
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Easily bruising
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Infections
• Mouth sores
• Nausea and vomiting
• Ulcers

Mesothelioma patients may also experience peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Chemotherapy drugs can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, loss of hearing, and weakness.

Experienced mesothelioma doctors will know how to help manage your specific side effects through options like medications, dietary changes, and more.

Mesothelioma Radiotherapy Side Effects

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy mesothelioma cancer cells. Side effects may vary depending on the dosage, treatment frequency, and the specific area being treated.

Mesothelioma radiotherapy side effects may include:

• A cough
• Appetite loss
• Chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Mouth and throat sores
• Nausea
• Skin issues
• Thickening saliva
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting

Most mesothelioma radiation side effects are temporary, per Cancer Support Community. However, some patients may suffer serious or potentially deadly complications from radiation like damage to the kidneys, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, and lung inflammation (pneumonitis), per Thoracic Cancer.

Treating radiation side effects involves a combination of medical prescriptions, specialized skin care, and lifestyle adjustments to support the body’s recovery. Your medical team can tailor a plan to manage specific mesothelioma radiation side effects that you experience.

Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma Side Effects

Mesothelioma immunotherapy treatments work by boosting the immune system’s response to cancer. However, as a result of this process, the immune system could also harm healthy cells and tissues, leading to uncomfortable side effects.

Immunotherapy for mesothelioma side effects include:

• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Itching
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Skin rash

The side effects of immunotherapy for mesothelioma are often mild, but there’s always a risk of more significant complications like pneumonitis, colitis (inflammation of the colon), and hepatitis, according to Lung Cancer.

Doctors will closely monitor any mesothelioma immunotherapy side effects, especially ones that could signal more serious complications, and work to address them. In some cases, immunotherapy treatments may need to be stopped.

Side Effects of Mesothelioma Targeted Therapy

Mesothelioma targeted therapy uses specialized drugs that target specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer cell growth. While these treatments are designed to limit harm to healthy cells, they can still cause side effects.

Common side effects of targeted therapy for mesothelioma include:

• Anemia
• Bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Dehydration
• Dry skin or eyes
• Headaches
• Hypertension
• Sneezing
• Weight loss

Side effects, as well as complications, vary depending on the type of mesothelioma targeted therapy used. In some cases, patients have passed away as a result of complications related to sepsis, pneumonia, and breathing issues linked to targeted therapy.

With that said, most targeted therapy side effects are mild to moderate and can be managed with help from your medical team. Adjusting the dose or using supportive medications often helps reduce discomfort without stopping treatment.

Cognitive Side Effects of Mesothelioma Treatment

In addition to the physical side effects stemming from mesothelioma treatments, patients could experience cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI).

While informally known as “chemo brain,” all types of cancer treatments can cause mental impairment, according to JCO Oncology Practice. Anywhere from 60% to over 75% of patients will experience CRCI.

Cognitive impairment in mesothelioma patients can involve: 

• Concentration problems
• Mental confusion or fogginess
• Short-term memory loss
• Sluggishness

In most cases, chemo brain tends to improve for the majority of cancer patients after treatments are stopped, according to Cleveland Clinic. Taking medications, keeping lists, and exercising can help those affected by chemo brain adapt and cope.

Emotional Side Effects of Mesothelioma

Many aspects of mesothelioma can bring a lot of overwhelming emotions to families. A diagnosis may be surprising since the cancer is so rare, and the long-term prognosis or health outlook is often poor.

Coupled with uncomfortable symptoms and mesothelioma treatment side effects, these issues make this cancer especially difficult to bear.

Emotional side effects of mesothelioma may include: 

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Frustration
• Guilt
• Isolation
• Shame
• Shock

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We understand the emotional and physical devastation mesothelioma causes. Let our mesothelioma lawyers pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.

Statistics on Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

Virtually all mesothelioma treatments come with a risk of side effects and complications, according to the ACS. Knowing the statistics on common side effects can help you and your family more clearly understand what to expect before treatments start and throughout the recovery process.

Here are notable statistics about mesothelioma treatment side effects: 

• 28% of mesothelioma patients treated with immunotherapy experience serious adverse events, according to the journal Lung Cancer. The most commonly reported is pneumonitis, per specialists.
• 30-40% of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy develop neuropathy, typically in the hands or feet, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• 40% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients who undergo cytoreduction with HIPEC experience some sort of side effect, according to cancer specialists. Half of those patients experience only minor complications.
• Among pleural mesothelioma patients getting surgery, 10% had major complications if they underwent an EPP, compared to 6.4% who received a P/D, per the Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment.
• BMJ Open reported that up to 33% mesothelioma patients and caregivers experience emotional symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Common cytoreductive surgery side effects among peritoneal mesothelioma patients include lymph fluid leakage (reported in 44% of patients) and pneumonia (25%), according to BMJ Journals.
• Pneumonitis was the most common side effect of mesothelioma radiation, reported by 65% of patients according to Cancers. Other common radiation side effects were fatigue (40% of patients), chest pain (27%), and difficulty swallowing (5%).
• The most common side effect of a P/D surgery for pleural mesothelioma is a prolonged air leak, which affects 40% of patients according to the Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment.
• The most common targeted therapy mesothelioma side effects are hypertension and anemia, according to Cancers. Around 40% of mesothelioma patients treated with targeted therapy developed hypertension, and 10% reported anemia.

It’s also important to understand that every mesothelioma patient’s treatment journey is unique, including which side effects they may experience and their severity.

Working with experienced mesothelioma specialists can help manage any potential mesothelioma treatment side effects or complications that you may develop, allowing you to have the best quality of life possible.

How Side Effects Vary by Mesothelioma Type

There are four main types of mesothelioma depending on where cancer tumors form within the body. Each type requires its own set of treatments, so potential side effects vary significantly depending on the treatment plan.

The types of mesothelioma include:

• Pleural mesothelioma in the lining of lung
• Peritoneal mesothelioma in the lining of the abdomen
• Pericardial mesothelioma in the lining of the heart
• Testicular mesothelioma in the lining of the testicle

Finding mesothelioma doctors who specialize in your specific type is crucial to getting the most appropriate treatments as well as easing possible side effects.

Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

With pleural mesothelioma, treatments center on destroying or removing mesothelioma tumors from the lung lining and the lungs themselves, potentially causing respiratory-related health issues.

Common pleural mesothelioma treatment side effects include: 

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Air leak
• Atrial fibrillation
• Bleeding in the chest cavity
• Bone marrow suppression
• Chylothorax
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Empyema
• Fatigue
• Fistulas (abnormal connection between organs)
• Infections like pneumonia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nerve damage
• Scars

Some of the most serious pleural mesothelioma treatment complications include sepsis, the need for unintended corrective surgery, and death among patients who receive surgery, according to the Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment.

It’s crucial for pleural mesothelioma patients to understand the potential benefits and risks of any treatments recommended by doctors. Pleural mesothelioma specialists should carefully review side effects with patients ahead of starting treatment.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

Ranging from cytoreduction with HIPEC to chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, commonly used treatments can all cause different side effects among peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

Potential side effects of peritoneal mesothelioma treatment plans include: 

• Electrolyte imbalances
• Fistulas
• Infections
• Internal bleeding
• Lymph fluid leakage
• Nerve damage
• Pneumonia
• Scarring from surgery

More severe complications may include intra-abdominal hematomas (blood collecting in muscles), ileus (failure of the bowels), jejunitis (small intestine inflammation), and sepsis, according to BMJ Journals and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

For pericardial mesothelioma, the most common treatment is chemotherapy, with some patients receiving a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, causing varying side effects.

Possible side effects of pericardial mesothelioma treatments include: 

• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Cardiac tamponade (blood in heart sac)
• Dizziness
• Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• Fatigue
• Heart attack
• Pericardial effusions (fluid buildup in heart lining)

Options like careful monitoring, medications to control heart rhythm, and supportive oxygen can help manage potential side effects of pericardial mesothelioma treatments.

Side Effects of Testicular Mesothelioma Treatments

With testicular mesothelioma, doctors typically use surgery to remove the testicle closest to the tumors (orchiectomy), according to Clinical Genitourinary Cancer.

Orchiectomy can lead to a decrease in testosterone, causing issues like fatigue, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and even osteoporosis or loss of muscle mass, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Men may also experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia after the surgery, per the National Library of Medicine.

Chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy are also sometimes used for testicular mesothelioma, potentially causing side effects like fatigue, skin rashes, nausea, and more.

Dietary Side Effects of Mesothelioma

Getting enough nutrition while facing a cancer like mesothelioma is incredibly important. However, mesothelioma symptoms and the side effects of treating it can make eating and maintaining nutrients complicated for many patients.

Side effects of mesothelioma treatments can cause issues like: 

• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry mouth
• Infections
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Weight and muscle mass loss

Many experienced mesothelioma cancer centers also have registered dietitians and nutritionists on staff who work with patients so their dietary and nutritional needs can be met.

Making sure patients get enough protein, stay hydrated, and more goes a long way toward recovery following major treatments.

Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects by Stage

Doctors typically classify mesothelioma cases into four stages, which help them determine how far the cancer has spread throughout the body and which treatments will work best for the patient.

Because of this, mesothelioma side effects may vary by stage and unique treatment plans as determined by health care providers.

Here are possible mesothelioma side effects for each stage: 

• Stage 1 mesothelioma: Mesothelioma tumors are localized, meaning that they have not spread significantly to other areas of the body. Many early-stage patients can be treated with surgeries, according to the ACS, leading to side effects like scarring, nerve damage, bleeding, and infection.
• Stage 2 mesothelioma: In the early stages, doctors may also use chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation to kill cancer cells, leading patients to experience fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and other possible complications.
• Stage 3 mesothelioma: In the third stage, mesothelioma tumors have started to spread further, and surgery may or may not be possible, per the ACS. If surgery is possible, patients will run the risk of complications like infections, bleeding, and more. Stage 3 mesothelioma patients treated with systemic options like chemotherapy could suffer from fatigue, a cough, nausea and vomiting, and related side effects.
• Stage 4 mesothelioma: Major surgery is typically not recommended due to metastasis, or spread of cancer through the body, per Texas Oncology. Instead, stage 4 mesothelioma patients are typically treated with systemic options, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which come with a risk of symptoms like pain, appetite loss, mental fog, and inflammation.

No matter which mesothelioma stage you’re in, treatments are available to improve quality of life — and doctors can recommend different strategies to manage the side effects.

At Sokolove Law, our dedicated mesothelioma law firm has been helping families secure financial compensation for over 45 years, allowing them to cover the costs of treatments, side effect care, and more.

Long-Term Side Effects of Mesothelioma

Generally speaking, most mesothelioma treatment side effects subside within a few months or even weeks, per the ACS. However, some can be long-term or even permanent.

Getting treated for mesothelioma or any other type of cancer can be hard on your body. Existing treatments can cause collateral damage to healthy organs and tissues.

Notable long-term side effects of mesothelioma include: 

• Chemo brain typically lingers for 6-9 months after treatment, per Cedars-Sinai. However, some patients may have persistent brain fog for years.
• Chronic nerve damage could develop because mesothelioma treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can permanently harm your nerve endings. Radiation-related neuropathy might not develop until months or years later, per MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• Scarring from surgery is permanent, and while it doesn’t cause physical symptoms, it can leave mesothelioma patients experiencing body dysphoria.
• Mental health concerns like fear and even post-traumatic stress can linger due to factors like uncertainty about the future, what will happen to loved ones, and passing away. Even mesothelioma patients in remission can have concerns for years afterward.

If you're worried about the long-term impact of your mesothelioma treatment plan, be sure to discuss your concerns with your cancer specialist ahead of time to get the support you need.

At Sokolove Law, our on-staff nurses can help you understand what to expect as you navigate living with mesothelioma and recommend strategies to help you cope.

When Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects Become Serious

Mesothelioma treatment side effects can be very hard on patients. In these cases, it's important for the patient and their cancer specialists to assess what is happening and find ways to mitigate issues.

If your symptoms are causing you a lot of discomfort or suddenly get worse, don’t wait. In some cases, new or worsening side effects like a fever, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing could be a sign of a significant complication, such as an infection.

Ways to manage side effects of mesothelioma treatment include: 

• Adjusting mesothelioma treatments as needed
• Giving pain-relieving medications such as nerve blocks
• Pausing or stopping treatments entirely
• Using supplemental oxygen for breathing issues

Clearly communicating with your mesothelioma doctors about what you’re feeling can help keep you comfortable and also potentially catch life-threatening consequences before they become severe.

How to Manage and Reduce Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

Any potential side effects of mesothelioma treatment will be unique to your case. As such, your cancer care team can draw from any number of options to help relieve the specific side effects that you’re facing.

Before, during, and after mesothelioma treatments, your doctors will help you understand the potential side effects, monitor your experience, and recommend ways to help you cope.

Potential ways to reduce side effects of mesothelioma treatments include: 

• Exercise: Staying active before and following treatment is often crucial to managing symptoms like fatigue and chemo brain. Even low-intensity exercises like stretching and yoga can improve thinking, emotions, and sleep schedule. Rest when you need to, but try light activity to maintain strength.
• Medications: Doctors can provide medications to manage a variety of side effects. For example, anti-nausea medication can be provided during chemotherapy as part of an IV drip. Medications to prevent other side effects can also be sent home with the patient at discharge.
• Pre-treatment preparations: Your mesothelioma doctor may recommend preparing your home ahead of time to make things easier after your hospital stay. This includes paying bills, cutting grass, and stocking up on essential supplies like simple meals that can be frozen and saved.
• Counseling: To manage the emotional aspects of a mesothelioma diagnosis and treatments, consider attending counseling from a psychiatrist, social worker, or another type of therapist. Support groups can also help you feel less alone by connecting you with other mesothelioma patients.
• Other considerations: Keep a log of side effects and triggers to share at appointments and promptly speak with a doctor if you develop any new side effects. In an emergency, always call 911.

One final, significant way to lower the risk of mesothelioma treatment side effects is to get care from a specialist from the outset.

Mesothelioma is an incredibly rare and aggressive cancer, so you want to make sure your doctor has the experience needed to provide the best care possible — limiting your risk of negative, unintended health outcomes, particularly with surgery.

Palliative Care for Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

If you're facing an aggressive cancer like mesothelioma, palliative care is essential to helping you feel better. Palliative care for mesothelioma is designed to relieve common symptoms of the cancer, as well as side effects.

Unlike hospice care, getting palliative treatment does not mean you’re at the end of life. In fact, it’s often used side-by-side with more aggressive options, so you can live longer and have a better quality of life, according to Cancer Council NSW.

Common palliative options for mesothelioma treatment side effects are: 

• Inserting a chest tube to drain chylothorax
• Medication to help ease neuropathy and pain
• Oxygen therapy to lessen breathing difficulties
• Physical therapy for strength, balance, and energy
• Steroids to manage the immune system in immunotherapy
• Stool softeners for digestive issues

A palliative care team monitors the patient closely and makes adjustments as needed, ensuring comfort remains the top priority for mesothelioma patients recovering from treatment.

At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma attorneys work with on-staff registered nurses who can help you better understand your health care options following a diagnosis.

Paying for Mesothelioma Treatment and Side Effect Management

Affording mesothelioma treatments and the associated side effects can be difficult for many families. In fact, the financial toll of a mesothelioma diagnosis in general can exceed $400,000 a year, and insurance may not cover all of the costs you face.

At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help you explore different mesothelioma compensation options to cover your health care costs. To date, we’ve recovered more than $5.3 Billion for families impacted by a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Learn about financial support for mesothelioma:

• Over $1 Million average payout
• No upfront costs for you or your loved ones
• Many patients start to get compensation in as few as 90 days

Our on-staff registered nurses can review your medical options and answer your questions, so you can better understand treatment plans, potential side effects, and how to afford the care you need.

Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to learn how we may be able to assist you or someone you love.

Side Effects of Mesothelioma Care FAQs