Pancreatic Cancer Treatment - Gemzar.com (gemcitabine HCl for injection)

About Pancreatic Cancer

GEMZAR is approved by the FDA as a single agent (given alone) as the first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced (stage II or stage III when surgery is not an option) or metastatic (stage IV) adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. GEMZAR is also indicated for patients previously treated with 5-FU (another type of chemotherapy).

GEMZAR can suppress bone marrow function, which may cause low blood cell counts.

Learning as much as you can about pancreatic cancer is an important part of preparing for the decisions that you and your healthcare team have to make.

The most common malignant tumors of the pancreas, known as adenocarcinoma, come from the gland cells involved in the production of enzymes for digestion. These cells make up the lining of the pancreatic duct, through which digestive and pancreatic juices flow. Cancer can also occur in the cells that make insulin, but that kind of cancer is much less common. Cancer of the pancreatic duct cells often is referred to as "pancreatic cancer" or "adenocarcinoma of the pancreas."¹

It is important to know which part of the pancreas a tumor is from because each has certain signs and symptoms, is found using different tests, and is treated differently.¹

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

A risk factor is something that affects a person's chance of getting a disease such as pancreatic cancer.²

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer remains unknown, although several risk factors have been linked to the disease. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or race, can't be changed. Having one or more risk factors does not mean that a person will get the disease.²

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Signs and Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer³
If you experience one or more of the signs and symptoms listed here, certain exams and tests may be done to find out whether they are caused by pancreatic cancer or something else. These exams and tests will be discussed in the next section.

Although the symptoms listed here can have many causes, it is important for you to see your healthcare team as soon as possible, just in case.

Loss of appetite and weight loss
Digestive problems
Blood clots or fatty tissue abnormalities
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Pain in the back or abdomen
Diabetes
An enlarged gallbladder

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Now let's review the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Indications and Important Safety Information for GEMZAR

GEMZAR is approved by the FDA in combination with carboplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the patient with advanced ovarian cancer that has returned at least 6 months after the patient had finished platinum-based therapy.

GEMZAR is approved by the FDA in combination with cisplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the first-line treatment of patients (for whom surgery is not possible) with locally advanced (stage IIIA or stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV or cancer that has spread) non-small cell lung cancer.

GEMZAR is approved by the FDA in combination with paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after they have received another type of chemotherapy called an anthracycline, unless their medical condition did not allow them to receive an anthracycline.

GEMZAR can suppress bone marrow function, which may cause low blood cell counts.

GEMZAR may not be appropriate for some patients.

If you are allergic to GEMZAR, tell your doctor because you should not receive it.

GEMZAR given for longer than 60 minutes or more than once a week has caused increased side effects.

You should call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of infection, such as a fever or chills. If you notice bleeding, unexplained bruising, or symptoms of anemia, contact your healthcare team, as these can be symptoms of low blood cell counts.

Serious lung problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported with GEMZAR. Tell your healthcare team if you develop breathing problems.

There have been reports of serious kidney or liver damage including failure with GEMZAR treatment, sometimes fatal. If you have had kidney or liver problems or impairment, please tell your healthcare team. GEMZAR may not be right for you.

You will have regular blood tests before and during your treatment with GEMZAR. Your doctor may adjust your dose of GEMZAR or delay your treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition.

If you think you are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are nursing, please tell your healthcare team.

Patients who receive radiation therapy before, during, or after receiving GEMZAR may sometimes experience more side effects, especially at the site of the radiation.

Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

There is a risk of side effects associated with GEMZAR therapy. The most common side effects are low blood cell counts (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets); fever; infection; hair loss; tiredness; nausea; vomiting; constipation; diarrhea; rash; shortness of breath; muscle aches; blood in urine; hearing changes and numbness or tingling in your toes or fingers. These are not all of the side effects of GEMZAR. Lab work may identify additional side effects. If you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away, be sure to talk with your doctor. Call your healthcare team right away if you have fever or chills. These symptoms could mean you have an infection.

If you are pregnant, GEMZAR may cause fetal harm to your unborn baby. It is not known if GEMZAR passes into breast milk; because of the potential for serious side effects in nursing infants, discuss breast feeding and GEMZAR with your doctor. The safety and effectiveness of GEMZAR in children has not been established.

For more information about all of the side effects of GEMZAR, please talk with your healthcare team, see the full Prescribing Information, or call 1-800-545-5979.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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