OVARIAN CANCER

Many types of tumors can start in the ovaries. Some are non-cancerous (also called "benign") and never spread beyond the ovary. Women with these types of tumors can be successfully treated by removing all or part of the ovary that has the tumor. Other types of tumors contain cells that reproduce themselves uncontrollably to form ovarian cancer. These cancerous tumors can even spread ("metastasize") to other parts of the body, making their treatment extremely complicated.¹

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that there were about 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in this country in 2007.²

Around two-thirds of women with ovarian cancer are 55 or older. The disease is slightly more common in Caucasian women than African-American women, and is the eighth most common cancer in women (not including skin cancer). It ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women. A woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 67, and the risk of getting this cancer and dying from it is 1 in 95.²

Your Ovarian Cancer Journey
Facing a diagnosis of ovarian 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 new 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 used 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.

This section explores the different types of ovarian cancer. Learn how GEMZAR can help treat second-line ovarian cancer when used in combination with carboplatin, another chemotherapy drug. You can also find information about side effects, and answers to frequently asked questions.

References:

American Cancer Society. What is Ovarian Cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_What_is_ovarian_cancer_33.asp.
Accessed March 3, 2008.
American Cancer Society. How Many Women Get Ovarian 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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