Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
About GEMZAR
Resources
Important Safety Information
Prescribing Information
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Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer takes different forms. Understanding these different forms, or "types" is important because they influence the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Make sure you discuss these types and any symptoms you may be having with your healthcare team.

Types
Symptoms

Types
The three major types of non-small cell lung cancer include1:

Adenocarcinoma

  • Accounts for about 40% of all lung cancer cases in the US1
  • The most common lung cancer among women2
  • Usually starts near the outer edges of the lungs, and may spread to other parts of the body2
  • Includes subtypes such as "bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma" (also called "BAC")2

Squamous carcinoma

  • Accounts for 25% to 30% of all lung cancer cases in the US1
  • Usually starts in one of the larger breathing tubes of the lungs2
  • Tends to remain localized in the chest longer than other types of lung cancer
  • Is strongly associated with smoking2

Large cell carcinoma

  • Accounts for 10% to 15% of all lung cancer cases in the US1

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Symptoms
Many people with lung cancer do not have any symptoms, or have only vague symptoms, until the disease has progressed. As a result, only 15% of lung cancers are discovered in their early stages, when the possibility of treating the disease is the best.3

Because lung cancer is usually diagnosed in a later stage, the cancer may have already spread to the other lung or other parts of the body. Symptoms of this disease may seem unrelated to the lungs or breathing. Depending upon where the cancer spreads and which organs are affected, symptoms of lung cancer can include3:

  • Headaches
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • General pain
  • Chest, shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
  • Repeated pneumonia or bronchitis
  • Blood coughed up in sputum
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Hoarseness
  • Wheezing
  • Swelling in the face or neck
  • Bone fractures
  • Blood clots

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Now let's take a look at the diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

References:

  1. American Cancer Society. What Is Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?
    Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/….
    Accessed March 4, 2008.
  2. The Wellness Community. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
    Available at: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/education/lung/nonSCLC.php.
    Accessed March 4, 2008.
  3. The Wellness Community. Symptoms.
    Available at: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/education/lung/symptoms.php.
    Accessed March 3, 2008.


About GEMZAR

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 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.

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 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).

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 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, 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.

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