Faslodex^®

Administered via injection, Faslodex^® is a hormonal therapy indicated for metastatic breast cancer treatment. As an antineoplastic drug, Faslodex^® fights tumor development in breast cancer patients by blocking the tumor's ability to use estrogen in promoting growth. Since many breast cancer tumors grow in response to estrogen, the ability for Faslodex^® to block estrogen allows it to slow tumor growth and aid other cancer treatments.

Each breast cancer patient is different, however, and depending on your type (and stage) of breast cancer, as well as your level of health and medical history, Faslodex^® may or may not be an option. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), your team of oncology specialists will work with you to determine if Faslodex^® may be able to help you. As part of our commitment to treat all of you, encouraging you to be involved at every step of your treatment is something we feel strongly about.

We believe in a whole-body approach to cancer treatment. To learn more about our approach to cancer treatment, you can chat now with an Oncology Information Specialist from CTCA .

As is the case with many drugs, in addition to the desired results, Faslodex^® may also bring about some unwanted side effects in patients. While most of the known side effects of Faslodex^® are not what would be classified as serious side effects, it is still important to be aware of potential side effects when deciding if Faslodex^® would be beneficial in your cancer treatment plan.

Some of the known, serious side effects of Faslodex^® that require immediate medical attention include:

• Rapid or unusual weight gain or weight loss
• Swelling or bloating in the face, arms/hands, lower legs/feet
• Tingling sensation in the hands and/or feet

In the majority of cases, though, Faslodex^® presents less serious side effects, such as:

• Pain in the following locations:
  • Back or side
  • Bladder
  • Bones
  • Chest
  • Groin
  • Joints
  • Legs/calves
  • Muscles
  • Pelvis
  • Stomach/abdomen
• Changes in elimination habits:
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Constant urge to urinate
  • Difficulty, pain, or burning sensation during urination
  • Tarry, black stools
  • Diarrhea/constipation
• Flu-like symptoms
  • Fever/chills/sweating/shivering
  • Dry/sore throat and/or increased cough
  • Headache
  • Runny nose
  • Weakness/fatigue
• Changes in eating habits
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Loss of appetite
• Changes in breathing, such as:
  • Labored breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Troubled breathing when exerting oneself
  • A sense of tightness in the chest
  • Wheezing
  • Congestion
• Changes in sense of balance
  • Dizziness
  • Sensation of spinning
  • Feelings of constant motion of either self/surroundings
  • Sudden loss of coordination
• Changes in physical sensation
  • Burning
  • Crawling
  • Itching
  • Numbness
  • Prickling
  • Tingling
  • Feelings of heat or warmth
• Anxiety or depression
• Changes in vision
• Cramping
• Development of oral sores or white spots
• Difficulty moving
• Hoarseness/voice changes
• Insomnia
• Pale skin, sometimes accompanied by unusual bruising/bleeding
• Rash
• Redness on face and neck
• Slurred speech
• Sudden and severe weakness or numbness in the arms/legs
• Swollen joints
• Tender/swollen neck glands
• Vaginal bleeding

Because each situation is unique, the above-listed side effects may not comprise all possible side effects. If you develop side effects from Faslodex^® that are different from those listed, you should contact your doctor for further instruction regarding the use of Faslodex^®.

Because Faslodex^® works by blocking estrogen, it is primarily used in treating breast cancer among postmenopausal women who have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Faslodex^® is better suited to women whose breast cancer is considered hormone receptor positive, and whose cancer has either progressed or returned following antiestrogen therapy, such the administration of tamoxifen.

Because each cancer patient faces unique challenges, the professionals at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) will help you determine if Faslodex^® is a good option for your metastatic breast cancer treatment. To learn more, please contact CTCA at 800-615-3055 today.