Small Cell Lung Cancer

Irinotecan for brain metastases of lung and breast cancer

Because irinotecan penetrates the brain-blood barrier and has an effect in primary brain cancer, there is some interest in using it for brain metastasis, especially for lung cancer and breast cancer. Most studies of irinotecan had been for brain mets of small(SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer(NSMCLC) and not breast cancer and have had mixed results. One study enrolled several different cancer types and reported complete responses with irinotecan-based

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Temodar for small cell lung cancer

Among solid tumors, small cell lung cancer(SCLC) is unusual in that it has the highest incidence of brain metastases. Several phase II trials have been reported using Temodar(TEM) for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors, including SCLC. In one study, two out of five patients with SCLC pretreated with whole brain radiation therapy showed disease stabilization with TEM. A second study explored the use of whole-brain radiation therapy with

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SAMSA – A New Drug for Low Sodium

SAMSCA(tolvaptan) is indicated for the treatment of clinically significant hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia (low blood serum sodium <125 mEq/L or less marked hyponatremia that is symptomatic and has resisted correction with fluid restriction), including patients with heart failure, cirrhosis, and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH). The latter condition occurs with lung cancer, especially small lung cancer, and less commonly

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