Glossary Glossary A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z A Adenocarcinoma: The most common cancer of the pancreas (also referred to as adenocarcinoma of the pancreas). B Bilirubin: A yellow-orange compound that is produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells. Benign tumor: An abnormal mass of tissue that is not cancerous and will not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Biotherapy: Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biological therapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy. Bronchi: The larger air passages of the lungs; the two main branches of the windpipe. C CA-125: A protein that is produced by some abnormal ovarian cells and is detectable in a blood sample. Abnormally high levels of CA-125 in the blood can be a sign of ovarian cancer. Cancer: Develops when abnormal cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Cancer survivor: Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, from diagnosis to end of life, is considered a cancer survivor. Carcinoma in situ: Lung cancer that is found only in the layer of cells lining the air passages. Chemotherapy: Treatment with medication, sometimes given orally, but more commonly by injection, into a vein or muscle to destroy cancer cells. Usually, it is a treatment that reaches every organ of the body through the bloodstream. Clinical trial (clinical studies / research protocols): Research study that seeks to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent or treat cancer. Combination therapy: The use of more than one therapy to treat cancer. D Dietitian: A specialist trained to recommend specific diets or additions to your diet. E Endoscope: A flexible viewing instrument used for diagnostic (biopsy) or therapeutic functions. The endoscope usually is introduced through an opening (orifice) in the body without the need to make a surgical incision. Endoscopic ultrasound: A procedure in which an instrument using ultrasonic waves (those beyond the range of human hearing) is introduced into the digestive track. The device can detect tumors anywhere from the mouth to the colon. If a tumor is located, a fine needle is used to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for examination by a pathologist (a physician specializing in the identification of diseases.) Epidermoid carcinoma (squamous carcinoma): A type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Epithelial: A type of cell that lines the internal and external surfaces of the body or organs. G Goal of therapy: The result that the patient and his or her doctor seek to achieve from treatment. H Hormonal therapy: Treatment or prevention of cancer by removing, blocking, or adding hormones that affect the growth of a tumor. I Indication: The uses for which a specific drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Informed consent: The process in which a person learns key facts about a clinical trial and voluntarily agrees to take part in it by signing a consent form describing the potential risks and benefits of treatment. Infusion: Slow and/or prolonged delivery of a drug or fluids through a vein or artery. Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin controls the body's blood sugar (glucose). Intraperitoneal therapy: Treatment in which anticancer drugs are administered directly into the abdomen through a thin tube. J Jaundice: A condition in which there is yellowing of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. The staining is caused by bilirubin, the pigment found in bile. L Low blood counts: A low level of blood cells circulating in the body, as measured by a blood test. There are three main types of blood cells that can have a low blood count: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. M Malignant: Cancer that invades the tissue around it and spreads to other parts of the body. Metastasis: The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. N Needle biopsy: A biopsy is done to confirm a cancer diagnosis, identify the type of cancer and its stage. A needle biopsy draws a small piece of tissue from the tumor through a syringe. Neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy): Numbness and/or tingling in the fingers or toes. Neuropathy occurs as a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs. Neurotoxicity: Poisonous to nervous tissue (both brain and peripheral nerves). O Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Oncology nurse: A nurse with special training in caring for cancer patients and administering cancer treatments. Oncology pharmacist: A pharmacist who specializes in preparing and dispensing cancer drugs and who can provide information about how a drug works and its side effects. Ovarian cancer: Cancer that affects the ovaries, which are small, almond-shaped female reproductive organs. The ovaries are located deep in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. P Pancreatic cancer: Cancer of the pancreatic duct cells is often called pancreatic cancer (also referred to as adenocarcinoma). Paper toxicities: Side effects, such as changes in blood cells, of which the patient is unaware, but which still may be important and the doctor can monitor through laboratory tests. Patient-felt toxicities: Side effects that may be important, such as hair loss, nausea, or fever, of which the patient generally is aware. Platelet: Small blood cells that help stop bleeding by sticking to the site of the blood vessel injury, forming a clot and sealing off the injured blood vessel. Protocol: An action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what will be done in the study and why. It outlines how many people will take part in the study, what types of patients may take part, what tests they will receive and how often, and the treatment plan. R Radiation therapy: A treatment method that uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. Red blood cell: Blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body. S Self-advocate: A person working on behalf of oneself to take an active role in one's own cancer care treatment. Side effects: Signs or symptoms that can occur with treatment. Common side effects of cancer treatments may include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, numbness or tingling in the extremities, rash, and mouth sores. Social worker: A professional who works with patients to help them with emotional, financial, insurance, and other resources that they may need during the course of their cancer care. Stage (staging): A term used to describe the extent of a cancer and whether it has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. Surgery / Surgical intervention: An operation to remove a tumor or to decrease the symptoms caused by the tumor. Surgical biopsy: Surgery performed to confirm a cancer diagnosis and to identify the type of cancer and its stage. Symptom: Something that a patient experiences in his or her body that is different from what is normal, and that may be the result of a disease or its treatment. T Toxicity: Side effect of chemotherapy, the underlying disease, or complication of treatment. These may include patient-felt or paper toxicities. Tumor: An abnormal growth of tissue. Tumors may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). W White blood cell: A group of blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease.
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Privacy Statement | Prescribing Information | Safety Information | Terms of Use Copyright © 2008 Eli Lilly and Company. All rights reserved. This site is intended for U.S. residents age 18 and over. For more information about cancer, contact your doctor or other healthcare professional. GEMZAR® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. GC 28281 About GEMZAR GEMZAR in combination with paclitaxel is approved by the FDA 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 is indicated in combination with cisplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIA or stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV or cancer that has spread) non-small cell lung cancer for whom surgery is not possible. GEMZAR is indicated 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 is indicated in combination with carboplatin (another type of chemotherapy) for the woman with ovarian cancer that has returned at least 6 months after the patient had finished platinum-based therapy. Important Safety Information GEMZAR may not be appropriate for some patients. If you are allergic to GEMZAR, tell your doctor you should not receive it. GEMZAR can suppress bone marrow function. There have been rare reports of serious kidney or liver toxicity with GEMZAR treatment, sometimes fatal. Serious lung toxicity has also been reported, sometimes fatal. If you think you are pregnant, are planning to be pregnant, or are nursing, please tell your healthcare team. GEMZAR may harm your unborn or nursing baby. If you have had prior kidney or liver problems or impairment, please tell your healthcare professional. GEMZAR may not be right for you. GEMZAR has not been shown to work in children. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription 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, and diarrhea; rash; shortness of breath; muscle aches; and numbness or tingling in your toes or fingers. These are not all of the side effects of GEMZAR. If you have any side effect that bothers you or that doesn't go away, be sure to talk with your healthcare professional. Call your healthcare professional right away if you have fever or chills. These symptoms could mean you have an infection. 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 test and on your general condition. For more information about all of the side effects of GEMZAR, please talk with your healthcare team, see the complete Prescribing Information, or call 1-800-545-5979. SG-22