Marijuana for Mesothelioma: How Cannabis Benefits Patients

Update: This blog was updated April 22, 2021 with the number of states allowing medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, and medical CBD oil. This blog was originally published in November 2019.

With so few options, the medical industry is looking to outside-the-box ideas for treating mesothelioma.

What’s more fitting of that description than marijuana?

We’re well into the 21st century, and the idea of smoking or otherwise absorbing cannabis remains a contentious topic. More states each year either legalize marijuana use, decriminalize laws related to the drug, or pass new legislation allowing for medical use. However, some lawmakers and citizens remain on the opposite side of the debate, believing that marijuana does more harm than good to the human body and mind.

There has been a surge in support for marijuana as a viable medical treatment. Therefore, some mesothelioma experts have investigated whether the plant could benefit patients with this rare disease.

“Frequently, if a patient comes in and is having a lot of issues, I will suggest it,” said Dr. Raja Flores, the head of Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Thoracic Surgery Department. “It’s another tool you have in your shed to help these patients.”

We at Mesothelioma Guide will explore the benefits and potential risks associated with using marijuana for mesothelioma.

How Marijuana Manages Pain and Other Mesothelioma Symptoms

Many patients rely on palliative treatments to manage pain and symptoms of mesothelioma. Talc pleurodesis, for instance, is a surgery that drains excess fluid from the pleura (where pleural mesothelioma forms) and potentially limits future fluid buildup.

Aside from fluid buildup in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, other common symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Weight loss due to decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Marijuana can address some of these symptoms.

“Marijuana helps with pain and helps with appetite,” Flores said, stressing that he only recommends cannabis for older, late-stage patients with advanced mesothelioma. “If you have meso and you’re headed toward your end stage, it can help with increased appetite.”

Flores said he suggests edibles and oils to patients, emphasizing that he does not recommend marijuana to healthy, young people or early-stage mesothelioma patients.

“I am certified to send these patients to a dispensary,” he said. “I don’t give them the marijuana, but I am certified to send them to a dispensary.”

Aside from the physical symptoms, marijuana can also have helpful psychological effects for mesothelioma patients. The substance may reduce anxiety, depression, and panic—all of which are common psychological experiences for people with mesothelioma.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, nine research projects totaling $3 million in funding are investigating cannabis as a pain-relief treatment. The goal is to provide alternative pain-relief options to opioids, which are currently the primary form of care.

The life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma ranges between 12 and 21 months. For peritoneal mesothelioma, most patients survive between one and three years. Hearing these figures can lead to negative emotions.

People with anxiety, depression, or panic disorders often experience racing thoughts or mental overdrive. Marijuana can slow down this process and reduce ruminating thoughts.

Can Cannabis Kill Mesothelioma Cells?

The question of whether marijuana can kill cancer cells is complex—and highly debated. As of publication, there is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that marijuana can kill cancer cells in the human body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even released a statement in 2017 warning patients about products or businesses making such claims.

“I don’t believe people should take it because they think it’ll kill cancer cells,” Flores said, firmly asserting that marijuana should only be used for pain relief and symptom management.

However, some believe certain forms of the plant-based drug can kill diseased cells, including those of mesothelioma. One specific version is cannabis oil, a liquid marijuana extract.

“Small laboratory studies in animals show that the herb’s components can kill cancer cells,” states the website Marijuana Doctors.

The primary compound in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Another of the 100+ components is CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the psychoactive element responsible for the “high,” while CBD does not cause this effect. Therefore, many people use CBD products—such as oils, edibles, and gels—for medical purposes.

However, CBD isn’t as effective at killing mesothelioma cells on its own compared to when combined with THC. Biochemist Dennis Hill wrote an article for Cure Your Own Cancer explaining how cannabis oil containing both compounds may attack cancer cells.

The author notes that THC connects to cannabinoid receptor sites on the cancer cell, which can cause “an increase in ceramide synthesis which drives cell death.” Healthy cells remain unaffected because they don’t produce ceramide.

In simpler terms, THC may act as a form of virotherapy, triggering cancer cells to self-destruct. Marijuana-based products containing sufficient THC could potentially slow or stop the growth of mesothelioma.

In another study by United Kingdom researchers, a peritoneal mesothelioma patient used CBD and THC as treatment. The study, published in *Respiratory Medicine Case Reports*, found that the cannabinoids slowed the disease’s progress, with the patient’s condition remaining relatively stable for six months.

Even with these potential benefits, mesothelioma patients should remain cautious about any product claiming to cure cancer. Flores emphasized that there is a lot of “misinformation” surrounding marijuana and cancer. Patients who are young or in early stages should first consider conventional treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.

Potential Risks of Using Marijuana for Mesothelioma

For starters, marijuana is not legal in every state. As of April 2021, eight states still don’t have medical cannabis approved in any form.

Only 16 states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. More than half of the states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes (currently 35). An additional seven have approved CBD oil for medical treatment.

Additionally, marijuana isn’t approved by the FDA for treating mesothelioma. This creates limitations and roadblocks to its use as a standard treatment.

Common side effects of marijuana include:

• Memory loss
• Impaired reflexes or motor skills
• Increased appetite
• Drowsiness

Marijuana can also have the opposite psychological effects for some individuals—such as increased anxiety, panic, or depression.

“(Marijuana) can do both,” Flores said about psychological effects. “It can increase (anxiety or depression) and decrease it.”

Before using marijuana as a mesothelioma treatment, patients should consult their doctor or specialist. Flores warns that some treatments, such as immunotherapy drugs, might interact negatively with cannabis. Even for chemotherapy patients seeking appetite improvement, medical guidance is essential.

If you’d like to discuss treatment options or connect with a mesothelioma specialist, email our patient advocate and registered nurse, Karen Ritter, at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marijuana for Mesothelioma

Can marijuana treat mesothelioma?

Marijuana can treat mesothelioma from a psychological, mental well-being, and quality-of-life perspective. It can help with mesothelioma symptoms and side effects of treatment, such as improving appetite during chemotherapy. Marijuana can reduce stress, pain, and anxiety.

Can marijuana kill mesothelioma cells?

Marijuana cannot treat mesothelioma the way surgery, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy can—by killing cancer cells. Marijuana is best used as an alternative therapy alongside other mesothelioma treatment options.

Is marijuana approved for cancer?

Marijuana is not an FDA-approved treatment for cancer. However, many states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Medical marijuana may be an option for stage 3 or stage 4 mesothelioma patients seeking relief from anxiety, stress, and other symptoms.