Autologous bone marrow transplantation for advanced breast cancer
Article Abstract:
Women with breast cancer that is inoperable because of lymph node involvement (inflammatory cancer), or because of metastases (spread to other body areas) have a poor prognosis. Autologous bone marrow transplantation, in which the patients serve as their own marrow donor, has been performed in some of these patients. In this treatment, bone marrow is removed from multiple sites; patients are given high doses of chemotherapy alone or with total body radiation; and bone marrow is then reinfused. The procedure is arduous because of the toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy and because of the risk of infection before bone marrow can begin to produce protective blood cells, about a three-week interval. Growth factors for the cells made by marrow are now commercially available and can shorten recovery time. One benefit is that graft rejection does not occur with this type of transplant. The procedure is usually only given to premenopausal women; it is thought to be too toxic for older patients. Patients with advanced disease who have already undergone several cycles of unsuccessful chemotherapy are more likely to accept the risk, but tend to have a poorer prognosis. Deaths due to the procedure itself occur in 5 to 15 percent of patients. Among 228 patients given previous chemotherapy, 39 had a complete response, but this was brief for most. Among another 53 previously untreated subjects, 25 had a complete response, 9 of whom were in remission over 13 to 82 months later. Autologous transplantation is expensive, costing from $10,000 to $100,000, and is not covered by all insurance companies, being regarded as experimental. Comparisons of the effectiveness of this treatment with that of conventional chemotherapy are underway. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Epirubicin for adjuvant therapy in node-positive breast cancer
Article Abstract:
The FDA has approved epirubicin for the treatment of breast cancer in women whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Sold under the trade name Ellence, the drug is similar to doxorubicin. However, it appears to be less toxic to the heart than doxorubicin. Unfortunately, epirubicin is more expensive than doxorubicin, and its effectiveness in treating breast cancer has not been conclusively proven.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Anastrozole for metastatic breast cancer
Article Abstract:
Anastrozole (Arimidex) may be an effective drug for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Anastrozole drastically lowers estrogen levels within 24 hours, causing the arrest of tumor growth. Compared to megestrol acetate, 1 milligram-doses of anastrozole each day may have fewer adverse side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, and weight gain.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Biological weapons control: prospects and implications for the future. Biological weapons and US law
- Abstracts: Does heavy marijuana use impair human cognition and brain function? Sports-related recurrent brain injuries - United States
- Abstracts: A healthy home environment? Instructions for breathing easier. Hazards for skaters and swimmers
- Abstracts: Enlarged prostate: Therapies have advanced. Laser surgery. Laser eye surgery
- Abstracts: Autoimmunity after alpha-interferon therapy for malignant carcinoid tumors. Acquired C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency