Velcade^®

Velcade^® is a proteasome inhibitor, a new type of anticancer drug which blocks the activity of proteasomes (enzymes that regulate the growth and functioning of cancerous cells). By inhibiting proteasome activity, Velcade^® works to slow or stop the growth of cancerous tumors.

Velcade^® is indicated for patients with multiple myeloma, who have received at least one form of therapy. It is also indicated for patients with mantle cell lymphoma (a type of B-cell lymphoma), who have received a prior form of therapy.

Every cancer patient has a unique experience. For this reason, Velcade^® may not be the best choice in every situation. Your care team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) will work with you to determine—based in part on your medical history, current health and stage of cancer—whether Velcade^® is a treatment option worth exploring for you.

If you would like to learn more about our unique approach to treating multiple myeloma or mantle cell lymphoma, you can chat now with an Oncology Information Specialist.

All medicines, including Velcade^®, can potentially bring about an allergic reaction in some users. Before receiving Velcade^®, it is important that you discuss your allergies with your doctor. Should you have an allergic reaction to Velcade^®, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Signs of an allergic reaction can include:

• Closing of the throat
• Rash or hives
• Swelling of the lips, tongue or face

Velcade^® may also cause other serious side effects, besides an allergic reaction, that require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following side effects when using Velcade^®, you should get urgent medical attention:

• Black, tarry or clay-colored stools
• Changes in urinary habits
• Darker colored urine
• Easy bruising/bleeding
• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms
• Jaundice
• Light-headedness and/or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach pain and/or loss of appetite
• Vomiting what appears to be blood, or looks like coffee grounds
• Changes in physical sensation, such as:
  • Burning
  • Numbness
  • Pain
  • Tingling

In most instances, however, Velcade^® will present less serious side effects. These usually occur as the body adjusts to the introduction of Velcade^® into the system. These less serious side effects of Velcade^® can include:

• Blurry vision
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Nausea/vomiting
• Skin irritation at injection site
• Weakness

Some patients using Velcade^® may experience more than one side effect, or possibly, may experience side effects not listed here. If you start to experience bothersome side effects when taking Velcade^®, notify your doctor. You doctor can advise you on the next steps to take.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our doctors take every step to discuss possible side effects of Velcade^® with you. They can also suggest beneficial complementary therapies that can help mitigate side effects and improve your quality of life.

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare type of B-cell lymphoma. This non-Hodgkin's lymphoma affects the lymph nodes, and, in about 25 percent of patients, will spread to the bowels or stomach.

Sometimes mistaken for bone cancer, multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that alters the plasma type of normal white blood cells. As it progresses, multiple myeloma can cause affected cells to collect in the bone marrow or form tumors on the hard, outer part of bones.

If you or a loved one is seeking treatment for mantle cell lymphoma or multiple myeloma, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) can help. Discover how we combine powerful conventional therapies, including Velcade^®, with complementary therapies to improve quality of life and fight cancer on all fronts. Contact CTCA today at 1-800-615-3055.