It is important to determine if breast cancer is in its early stages or advanced stage before treating it.
Cheryl Jones MD is Vice-President and Chief Med Officer at Georgia Cancer Specialists. She has extensive experience in treating patients with cancer. advanced breast cancerThis is an incurable, but treatable, form of breast cancer that includes metastatic (stage IV), and locally advanced (stage I) stages.
Metastatic breast cancer is when the cancer spreads to other areas of the body. It is treated differently from earlier stages. Dr. Jones discusses the importance of understanding different types of tumors in order to allow patients to be more involved in treatment discussions.
She addresses questions regarding the subtypes of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factors receptor-2 positive (HER2+).
Q: How can HR and HER2 status be used to help you choose a treatment plan for your condition?
Dr. Jones says that each breast cancer is genetically determined and can help oncologists choose the most effective treatment.
HR+ tumors are approximately 70% of all cases. They are caused by hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Postmenopausal women may be able to benefit from hormonal therapy such as an aromatase inhibit, which stops estrogen from causing the cancer growth.
We treat breast cancer that is HR- in cases, which accounts for around 15-20% of all cases in the US.
If the tumor is HER2+, it means that the tumor has an excess of the HER2 gene. This requires aggressive treatment with drugs that target the HER2 proteins. This happens in approximately one fifth of breast cancers.
Q: What are some of the major considerations for advanced breast cancer subtypes treatment?
Dr. Jones: Advanced HR+/HER2- breast carcinomas can be outsmarted by hormonal therapy and become resistant over time, leading to tumor progression.
There are many treatments that can extend the effects of hormonal therapy. For example, Invitrimus (everolimus), a prescription medicine that is used to treat advanced HR+/HER2-skin cancer in postmenopausal patients who have previously received other treatments for their disease, can be combined with exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor) and Afinitor (everolimus). Infections and death can result from side effects such as lung or breathing problems caused by Afinitor.
Although HER2+ cancers are more aggressive than other types of tumors, there are still HER2 targeted therapies.
Triple-negative breast cancer is a form of HER2-and HR- tumors. These tumors are not treated with hormonal or targeted HER2 therapies. We will often use radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Visit www.Afinitor.comTo learn more about advanced HR+/HER2- and breast cancer, click here.
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In fact, Afinitor, which is a prescription medicine, can be used to treat advanced hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative breast carcinoma in women postmenopausal who have received other cancer medicines.
Important Safety Information
If you are allergic to Afinitor, or any of its ingredients, patients should not use it. Patients should tell their health care provider before taking Afinitor if they are allergic to sirolimus (Rapamune®) or temsirolimus (Torisel®).
Side effects of Afinitor include infections and lung problems, as well as kidney failure that can lead to death. Patients who experience side effects may have to discontinue taking Afinitor or reduce their dosage. Patients are advised to follow the directions of their doctor.
Lung or breathing problems can lead to severe lung disease in some patients. If patients experience any of the following symptoms: wheezing, chest pain, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, they should immediately inform their doctor.
In fact, patients who are taking Afinitor might be more likely to get an infection. This could include pneumonia or a fungal, bacterial or viral infection. People who have had hepatitis B previously may be at risk of developing viral infections. Some people may even die from these infections. It is important to treat patients as quickly as possible. If a patient feels unwell or has a fever of more than 100.5?F, they should inform their doctor immediately. Symptoms of hepatitis B infection include fever, chills and skin rash. They may also experience joint pain, inflammation, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, yellowing of skin, and pain in the upper right-hand side of their stomach.
Afinitor may cause kidney failure. This can lead to kidney failure in some patients and even death. Before and during treatment with Afinitor, it is important that patients have kidney function tests.
Incisions can be slow to heal or may not heal as well due to the presence of initor. Patients should inform their doctor if there is anything red, warm or painful in their incisions; if there is blood, fluid or pus in the incisions; or if the incisions are swollen or open.
Other side effects include mouth ulcers. There are many side effects that can result from taking Inmetor, including sores and mouth ulcers. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, weakness, headaches, weight loss, loss appetite, fever, skin problems and swelling.
See the full Prescribing Information available at Afinitor.com.
Rapamune® (sirolimus) and Torisel® (temsirolimus) are registered trademarks of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Fast payment policies are no longer luxury items of the past. It’s a necessity. It’s vital to have funds readily available for serious illness or injury. Your insurance company should be able to respond quickly.
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