What is Cyramza (ramucirumab) and how is it used? Cyramza is a prescription medication used for cancer treatment, which is given through intravenous (IV) infusion. Cyramza is a human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 antagonist that specifically binds VEGF Receptor 2 and blocks binding of VEGFR ligands, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. As a result, …
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What is Somatuline Depot (lanreotide) Injection and how is it used? Somatuline Depot is a prescription medicine used for: the long-term treatment of people with acromegaly when: surgery or radiotherapy have not worked well enough or they are not able to have surgery or radiotherapy the treatment of adults with a type of cancer known as neuroendocrine tumors, from the …
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What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscope includes a camera, light, and surgical tools to examine the colon. The digestive system processes and eliminates waste after digestion. The colon and rectum are the final portions of the digestive system and are also referred to as the large bowel or large intestine. A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure to evaluate the health …
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What is Verzenio (abemaciclib), and what is it used for? Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a drug in oral tablet form that attacks tumor cells in patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer. Specialists prescribe it as part of a combination of drugs that also includes an aromatase inhibitor. Verzenio is a CDK4 and 6 inhibitor. CDK4 and 6 are proteins that govern how …
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What is breast cancer staging? Breast Cancer Treatments: Radiation Therapy The stage of a cancer refers to the extent to which it has spread within the body at the time of diagnosis. Staging of cancers is typically done using a variety of tests and imaging studies to look for the extent of the cancer. To accurately determine the stage of …
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Melanoma facts Picture of Melanoma Skin Cancer Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin. Although most melanomas develop on the skin, they can originate in almost any organ including the eye, brain, and lymph nodes. It is not unusual for patients or their spouses to recognize cutaneous (skin) melanomas. Caught early, most melanomas can be …
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Uterine cancer facts* Uterine cancer is the abnormal growth of any cells that make up tissue of the uterus. *Uterine cancer facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD The uterus is a hollow organ in females located in the pelvis, commonly called the womb. The uterus functions to support fetal development until birth. The uterus is shaped like an …
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Lymphedema facts Lymphedema is impaired flow of the lymphatic system that causes swollen extremities. Lymphedema is a condition that results from impaired flow of the lymphatic system. Symptoms of lymphedema include swelling in one or more extremities. The swelling may range from mild to severe and disfiguring. Primary lymphedema is present at birth; secondary lymphedema develops as a result of …
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What is filgrastim (Neupogen), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Filgrastim (Neupogen) is a man-made protein that is similar to the naturally occurring protein, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF is produced in the body by the immune system and stimulates the formation of one type of white blood cell, the neutrophil. Neutrophils take part in the inflammatory reaction. …
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What is a biologic drug (biologics)? A biologic drug (biologics) is a product that is produced from living organisms or contain components of living organisms. Biologic drugs include a wide variety of products derived from human, animal, or microorganisms by using biotechnology. Types of biologic drugs include vaccines, blood, blood components, cells, allergens, genes, tissues, and recombinant proteins. Biologic products …
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