l also recover and start to replicate again. Successful treatment depends on the administration of the next course of therapy before the cancer has regrown to its previous size and the net effect is to decrease the amount of cancer with each successive course.
Trabectedin is used to treat a type of cancer known as soft tissue sarcoma, which affects muscles, fatty tissue and other soft tissue, such as cartilage or blood vessels.
Unfortunately, trabectedin can also affect normal, healthy cells, particularly those that multiply quickly, such as healthy blood cells. Trabectedin is therefore only used to treat soft tissue sarcoma in people who have enough healthy cells in their blood at the start of treatment. Regular blood tests are needed to monitor the levels of blood cells.
Trabectedin is given by slow infusion (drip) into a vein (intravenously) over 24 hours. Dexamethasone is always given before treatment with trabectedin to help reduce sickness and protect the liver. The treatment is repeated every three weeks, for as many courses as your specialist feels is necessary.
What is it used for? Soft tissue sarcoma.
This medicine is used when other medicines have not been effective or are unsuitable.
Warning! Before each treatment with Yondelis you will need to have blood tests to check your blood cells, liver function, kidney function, bilirubin level and CPK level. These tests should also be carried out weekly during your first two treatments.
This medicine can cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness. Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.
This medicine may have side effects on the muscles. For this reason, you should inform your doctor immediately if you experience muscular symptoms such as pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness while taking this medicine, particularly if they are accompanied by a fever or feeling generally unwell. Your doctor may need to check for side effects on the muscles by taking a blood test to measure the level of a compound called creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) in your blood.
This medicine may also have side effects on your liver. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
You should not drink alcohol while having treatment with this medicine because this may increase the chance of side effects on the liver.
This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. For this reason, women being treated with this medicine who could get pregnant must use a highly effective method of contraception to prevent pregnancy. You will be given advice on which forms are suitable for you. Contraception should be started before your treatment begins and continued for at least three months after your treatment is finished. You should tell your doctor immediately if you think you could be pregnant at any point during treatment.
Men being treated with this medicine must use a condom to avoid fathering a child during their treatment and for at least five months after treatment is finished. There is a risk of irreversible infertility associated with Yondelis. For this reaso
