Bevacizumab

Avastin also goes by a genetic name of Bevacizumab. An anti-angiogenesis and monoclonal antibody this drug is used to treat various types of cancers.

Which are the types of cancers wherein this drug is used?

This drug is used to treat rectal cancer or metastatic cancer wherein it is used partly as a combination drug therapy. It is also used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and non-squamous cancer. Used in parts as a combination drug in metastatic breast cancer bevacizumab is also used to treat GBM i.e. glioblastoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Mode of Treatment

Injected in an intravenous form the first cycle lasts for nearly 90 minutes gradually decreasing the infusion cycle to half an hour. The amount received by a patient depends upon the general health, body structure, type of cancer, stage and condition of the patient.

Side Effects

Certain side effects are visible at the onset of the treatment till the end of the treatment cycle but the side effect is reversible. There are ways to minimize the side effects. Some patients have complaints like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, decrease in the blood count both white blood cells and red blood cells which leads to infections, loss of hair, mouth sores, proteinuria etc.

In rare cases there have been complaints of gastrointestinal perforation, hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis. Nephrotic Syndrome has also been noted in some cases wherein there is a high level of protein is found in the urine, there is an decrease in the protein level in the blood etc. This can lead to damage of the kidney or glomeruli.

Apart from this there have been a few cases of congestive heart failures where patients have received previous chemotherapy or other mode of treatment like radiation with anthracycline as base.

Delayed side Effects

This drug has shown to disrupt the normal menstrual cycle and also impair the working of the sexual organs; in some this can lead to permanent side effects and in some there has been a slow reversal.

Your medical representative needs to be consulted immediately if one or more of the following side effects are seen persistently: High fever with chills which is a sign of infection, bleeding, breathlessness or difficulty in breathing, blood in the stool or urine, abdominal pain, constipation in spite of using laxatives, swelling in the ankle or feet etc.

Some Precautionary Methods

Inform your medical rep about all the medications you are presently on which includes herbal as well as vitamin supplements, before getting a vaccination or immunization, avoid breast feeding, inform about impending pregnancy, avoid conceiving etc.

Self Help Tips

Increase you liquid intake, use anti-nausea medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting. Take precautions and use laxatives as Bevacizumab is known to cause constipation, maintain a good hygiene, follow a healthy and nutritious diet, and avoid crowded places, alcohol and alcoholic drinks, exposure to direct sun etc. Monitor the proper functioning of your internal organs by regular blood tests.

Bevacizumab is a target therapy treatment where the drug targets the cancer cells and induces self destruction. This mode of treatment causes far lesser side effects than other anti-cancer drugs and anti-cancer mode of treatment.