Bronchi
From the Greek word for branches, they are the airways that lead into the lungs.
CAV
A combination of three anticancer medicines (cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine) that can be used in chemotherapy to treat a variety of cancers including small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Chemotherapy
The treatment of diseases and infections using chemical medicines.
DNA
The abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is the double helix that holds the genes in the cells of the human body.
Intravenous (IV)
Given into a vein.
Metastasize
The process by which tumor cells spread to other parts of the body.
Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in the treatment of patients with cancer.
Remission
The partial or complete disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease.
Topo-I (Topoisomerase I)
Helps copy the genetic information in the cells of the body.
Topo-I inhibitors
A class of medicines designed to interfere with the copying gene in the cells of the body.
Remember, no one source can answer all your questions or replace the information provided by your doctors and nurses. This Web site is not intended to replace ongoing communication between you and your health care team.
Important Safety Information
Use of Hycamtin
Hycamtin is used for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.
Hycamtin is used for the treatment of small cell lung cancer that returns at least 2 months after completion of your first treatment.
Hycamtin plus cisplatin is used for the treatment of cervical cancer, if it is widespread when first diagnosed, doesn’t go away with your first series of treatments, or comes back in a form that can’t be cured with surgery or radiation.
Reasons Not to Use Hycamtin
Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to Hycamtin, if you are pregnant, if you are breast-feeding, or if you have low blood counts.
Side Effects
Hycamtin can interfere with your body’s ability to make white and red blood cells. Your doctor may prescribe a supportive therapy to help your body make more blood cells.
Side effects often associated with Hycamtin when used alone included nausea (64%), vomiting (45%), diarrhea (32%), hair loss (49%), fatigue (29%), and shortness of breath (22%). Most of these side effects were mild to moderate.
Side effects often associated with Hycamtin plus cisplatin when used to treat cervical cancer included low blood counts, pain (22%), vomiting (15%), nausea (14%), other digestive problems (14%), abnormal laboratory tests that may or may not cause symptoms (14%), and bladder/pelvic problems (12%).
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