PANCREATIC CANCER

About the Pancreas
The pancreas is an oblong organ, about 6 inches long and less than 2 inches wide, and is located behind the stomach and extends across the abdomen.¹

The pancreas has two purposes, handled by two different kinds of glands. One purpose is to make chemicals called "enzymes" that help digest fats and proteins. Glands release these enzymes into the small intestine as food enters the stomach. The other purpose of the pancreas is to control the body's blood sugar (also called "glucose") by producing another chemical called "insulin."¹

About Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer of the pancreas develops when healthy cells in the pancreas become abnormal and grow too quickly. The abnormal cells form a mass or growth in the pancreas called a "tumor." When a tumor has the ability to spread to other parts of the body, it is called "malignant." Cancer is another word for a malignant tumor.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that, in 2007, about 37,000 people in the United States were found to have pancreatic cancer and about 33,000 died of the disease.²

About 1 in 80 people eventually develop pancreatic cancer. The risk is about the same for both men and women. That risk for getting pancreatic cancer may be reduced by eating the right foods, not smoking, and avoiding certain chemicals in the environment, but there is no sure way to prevent pancreatic cancer.²

Your Pancreatic Cancer Journey
Facing a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is not easy. Like any person living with cancer, you are probably facing situations you never had to deal with before. And it is understandable if you are concerned about the journey that lies ahead. But by working together with your healthcare team — asking questions and exploring your treatment options — you can take back some control.

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).

This section explores the two types of pancreatic cancer. Learn how GEMZAR can help treat first-line pancreatic cancer when used as a single drug. You can also find information about side effects, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Reference:

American Cancer Society. What Is Cancer of the Pancreas? Available at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/….
Accessed March 3, 2008.
American Cancer Society. How Many People Get Pancreatic Cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/….
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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