Learn about a complimentary self-care kit. Warning: Allergic reactions and heart attack. Treatment with ERBITUX is given in the following ways: In combination with FOLFIRI irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin for patients who are being treated for this type of cancer for the first time In combination with another chemotherapy drug, irinotecan, for patients whose disease has progressed after receiving chemotherapy with irinotecan As a single agent: For patients whose disease has progressed after receiving both irinotecan and oxaliplatin For patients who are unable to tolerate chemotherapy with irinotecan ERBITUX is not approved to treat colorectal cancer in patients whose tumors have mutations in genes called RAS often called " RAS mutant" , or in patients for whom the mutational status of the RAS genes is not known.
Lung disease occurred in less than 0. Sun exposure may worsen these effects. These reactions may be life-threatening and possibly lead to death. In a study of patients with head and neck cancer, patients received either a combination of radiation and cisplatin a cancer drug , or ERBITUX in combination with radiation and cisplatin.
If you have any history of heart disease or a heart condition. If you have a history of breathing problems or other lung problems.
If you are pregnant or if you plan on becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant during your treatment or within 2 months after your last dose, discuss this with your doctor.
If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications. In areas treated with radiation therapy, the addition of ERBITUX to the radiation therapy increases the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissues in the area treated with radiation. It is possible that U. In this study, the type and severity of side effects seen with European cetuximab were similar to other studies of U.
The most common side effects all grades of severity in patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body whose tumors had a protein called Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor EGFR treated with ERBITUX and irinotecan were: acne-like rash, feeling weakness or discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea. But most patients needed only 8 cycles of treatment before they were ready for surgery and the usual time to operation was only five months, he noted.
If the mutant KRAS gene is detected, they believe there is no point in these drugs, which are expensive, being prescribed. Although patients tolerate Erbitux well it produces a skin rash and can cause diarrhoea in some. In some European countries, reimbursement for Erbitux treatment is now restricted to use in patients with wild-type KRAS.
Diagnostic tests for KRAS are becoming widely available in Europe, according to Professor Van Cutsem, who believes most oncologists should have access to them before the end of the year.
Meanwhile the search goes on for other tumour biomarkers to predict even more accurately what impact a treatment is likely to have. This is happening not just in mCRC but in cancers at other sites, to help identify which treatments work best for particular tumour types.
Getting the treatment that is right for them first will give cancer patients the best chance of beating their disease. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage, and…. A new study confirms that spinach inhibits the growth of colon polyps that can become cancerous. Then, using protein from animals and humans, scientists work to create a special antibody that will attach to the target antigen.
An antibody will attach to a matching antigen like a key fits a lock. This technology allows treatment to target specific cells, causing less toxicity to healthy cells. Monoclonal antibody therapy can be done only for cancers in which antigens and the respective antibodies have been identified. Cetuximab is a targeted therapy that targets and binds to the epidermal growth factor receptors EGFR. EGFR, when activated by your body during normal human cell-reproduction, makes the cell grow and divide.
However, if the cell is a cancer cell, then growing and dividing means the cancer is getting larger. This stops the cell from continuing the pathway that promotes cell division and growth, effectively stopping the cancer by stopping the cancerous cells from growing and multiplying.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.
For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www. Toggle navigation. Spanish About Chemocare. Side Effects: Important things to remember about the side effects of cetuximab: Most people may not always experience all of the side effects listed. Cetuximab side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration, and severity. Cetuximab side effects are usually reversible and will go away after treatment is complete. Cetuximab side effects may be quite manageable.
There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects. The rash can last up to 28 days after stopping treatment with cetuximab. Other rash symptoms may include skin peeling, redness, inflammation, and itchy and dry skin. Tell your doctor of any new or worsening rash symptoms, as they can be severe in some patients. Mild topical steroid cream or antibiotics may be recommended to treat this rash. Sun exposure may make rash symptoms worse; avoid exposure to sunlight.
Generalized weakness, fatigue Weight loss and poor appetite Diarrhea Nausea and Vomiting Abdominal pain Constipation Stomatitis inflammation of the mouth Low magnesium level Low blood counts. Your white cells may temporarily decrease neutropenia. This can put you at increased risk for infection.
Difficulty breathing Cough Peripheral Neuropathy Decreased sensation and paresthesia numbness and tingling of the extremities may be noted. This reaction can be severe with difficulty breathing, itching, and low blood pressure. On this page. Cetuximab is used to treat cancer of the bowel colon and rectum when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body advanced cancer tests show the cancer cells do not have a change mutation in a type of gene called RAS.
Cetuximab is used to treat some head and neck cancers when they have started to spread into surrounding tissue locally advanced cancer they have spread to other parts of the body advanced cancer. How cetuximab is given You will usually have cetuximab at a day unit. About side effects We explain the most common side effects of this treatment here. Serious and life-threatening side effects Some cancer treatments can cause severe side effects. Contact the hospital Your nurse will give you telephone numbers for the hospital.
More information We cannot list every side effect for this treatment. Side effects during treatment Allergic reaction Some people have an allergic reaction to cetuximab. Always tell your them straight away if you feel unwell or have any of the following symptoms: feeling hot or flushed a skin rash itching shivering feeling dizzy a headache feeling breathless swelling of your face or mouth pain in your back, tummy or chest.
You are more likely to have a serious allergic reaction to cetuximab if you have an allergy to: red meat tick bites a tick is a tiny spider-like insect found in woodland and heath areas.
Common side effects Skin changes Cetuximab often causes an acne-like rash or other skin changes such as dry, itchy or flaky skin. Contact the hospital straight away if you have: a rash that blisters or peels sores on your lips or in your mouth flu-like symptoms or a fever high temperature. Reduced levels of magnesium in the blood Magnesium helps keep nerves and muscles working properly. Sore mouth and nose The lining of your mouth and nose may become sore. Tiredness Feeling tired is a common side effect.
Feeling sick Your doctor can give you anti-sickness drugs to help prevent or control sickness. Diarrhoea If you have diarrhoea,tit can usually be controlled with medicines.
Hair changes Your eyelashes may grow longer and more curly than usual. Nail changes You may notice changes to your nails. Headaches This treatment may cause headaches. Sore eyes Cetuximab may make your eyes dry, sore, red and itchy. Tell your doctor if your eyes do not improve after taking the eye drops you have changes to your vision you have pain in your eye. Liver changes This treatment may cause changes in the way your liver works. This will return to normal when the treatment finishes.
Your doctor or nurse will take regular blood samples to check your liver is working properly. Breathlessness Let your doctor know if you become breathless or are more breathless than usual. Rarely, cetuximab can cause a condition in which the lungs become inflamed. This can be very serious.
Contact the hospital straight away if you suddenly become breathless or your breathing gets worse. Other information Blood clot risk Cancer and some cancer treatments can increase the risk of a blood clot. Symptoms of a blood clot include: throbbing pain, redness or swelling in a leg or arm suddenly feeling breathless or coughing sharp chest pain, which may be worse when you cough or take a deep breath.
You can help reduce the risk of developing a blood clot by: staying active during treatment drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. You may be given anticoagulants to help prevent a clot. Other drugs Some medicines, including ones you buy in a shop or chemist, can be harmful while you are having this treatment. Vaccinations Vaccinations can reduce your risk of getting certain infections. Contraception Your doctor will advise you not to get pregnant or make someone pregnant while having this treatment and for some time afterwards.
Breastfeeding You are advised not to breastfeed while having this treatment, or for some time after treatment finishes. Fertility Some cancer drugs can affect whether you can get pregnant or make someone pregnant. Medical and dental treatment If you need medical treatment for any reason other than cancer, always tell the doctors and nurses you are having cancer treatment. Print page. How we can help. Share experiences, ask questions and talk to people who understand.
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