What Are the Treatments for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma With Revlimid?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the white blood cells (lymphocytes) that is often characterized by lymph nodes that appear larger than normal, fever and weight loss. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there were 65,980 new cases and 19,500 deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States in 2009.
MCL
One type of NHL is relapsed or refractory mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), a cancer that can spread via the lymph glands to marrow tissues, the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. MCL represents about 6 percent of all NHL cases in the U.S., according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and is treatable by Revlimid.
Revlimid
Revlimid is an anti-cancer drug containing lenalidomide, an immuno-modulating agent. Revlimid stimulates the activity of your immune system, blocking tumor cell development and growth.
Function
The lenalidomide contained in Revlimid acts to block the growth of blood vessels that allow cancer cells to grow, effectively starving the cancer cell. It also works with your immune system to attack cancer cells.
Dosage
Revlimid is a once-daily capsule in 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 25 mg dosages, which must be taken in repeated 28-day cycles: 21 days on the medicine, seven days off.
Side Effects
Side effects include weakness, fatigue, constipation, muscle cramps, low platelet counts, anemia, diarrhea and rashes. Do not take Revlimid during pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects.
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