Glossary

A-C|D-F|G-I|J-L|M-O|P-R|S-U|V-Z

A-C

Anemic

Feeling weak and tired because of a low red blood cell count.

Appeals

Requests for reconsideration if you've been initially denied insurance coverage.

Benign

Not cancerous.

Cancer

General word for cells that grow, divide and organize in an uncontrolled way. Cancer cells form tumors.

Carcinoma

A form of cancer that develops in tissues covering or lining organs. The most common form of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Drugs used to stop cancer cells from multiplying. Chemotherapy is described as first-line, second-line or third-line, depending on the stage of cancer being treated. Drugs may be taken orally or injected into a vein.

D-F

Fatigue

Feeling tired.

First-line Therapy (or treatment)

The first type of treatment given for a disease such as cancer.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Government organization responsible for assuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs, food and other products.

G-I

Genentech^® Access to Care Foundation

The Genentech Access to Care Foundation was established to help qualified patients with unmet medical needs to receive proper medical treatment. The Genentech Access to Care Foundation may be available to help those who are not able to obtain Tarceva for financial reasons.

HER1/EGFR

Protein molecule found on the surface of some cells. Abnormal functioning of HER1/EGFR can cause cancer.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

A lung condition in which the tissue between the air sacs of the lungs becomes inflamed or damaged.

Intravenously

Injected into a vein.

J-L

Lymph fluid

Liquid circulating throughout your body that picks up germs and carries them to the lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes

Pea-shaped nodules found throughout your body. They help rid the body of infection by collecting germs found in lymph fluid.

M-O

Mail Order Pharmacy

A pharmacy that will ship prescribed medication directly to your address.

Maintenance Therapy (or treatment)

Treatment given to a patient to prolong the time your cancer goes without getting worse after it responded or did not worsen after chemotherapy.

Malignant

Cancerous.

Metastatic

Cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another.

Metastasizes

Spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

NSCLC

Non-small-cell lung cancer. The most common type of lung cancer.

Oncologist

Doctor who specializes in treating cancer.

P-R

Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Drugs containing small amounts of the metal platinum used to destroy cancer cells by stopping their ability to reproduce. Also kills other healthy cells.

Pleura

Thin layer of tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity.

Prognosis

Outlook for recovery.

Radiation

Treatment that uses high-energy x-ray beams to shrink a tumor. May be used alone or with surgery and chemotherapy.

Regimen

How often you receive treatment. In chemotherapy, a regimen usually includes time off from treatment so your body can rest.

Resectable

When a tumor can be removed with surgery.

S-U

Second-line Therapy (or treatment)

Treatment given when the first treatment does not work or stops working.

Staging

Measurement of how far cancer has spread. Indicated by stage numbers I-IV. The lower the stage, the better the outlook.

Tarceva Access Solutions

Tarceva Access Solutions provides coverage and reimbursement support, patient assistance and informational resources for both patients and their health care providers

Targeted treatment

Type of cancer treatment that targets only certain types of cell activities.

Taxane

A chemotherapy drug that interferes with cell division. Often used in combination with platinum compounds.

Third-line Therapy (or treatment)

Treatment given when both the first and second treatments don't work or stop working.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

A drug that interferes with cell communication and growth and may prevent cancer tumor growth.

Unresectable

Not capable of being resected.

V-Z

White blood cells

Cells that help the body fight infection and disease.

Indications and Usage for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose cancer has not spread or grown after initial treatment with certain types of chemotherapy (maintenance treatment).

Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose cancer has spread or grown after receiving at least 1 chemotherapy regimen (second/third-line treatment).

Tarceva is not meant to be used at the same time as certain types of chemotherapy for NSCLC.

Important Safety Information

Possible effects on the lungs

There have been reports of serious adverse events involving the lungs in a small number of patients taking Tarceva. These events have included death in some patients. The medical name for these types of events is interstitial (in-tur STISH-ul) lung disease-like events (or ILD-like events).

Possible effects on the kidneys and liver

Liver and/or kidney problems (including deaths) have been reported in some patients taking Tarceva. Let your healthcare provider (HCP) know if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.

Possible effects on the stomach and intestines

Some patients taking Tarceva have developed a hole in the lining of their stomach or intestines (including deaths).

Possible effects on the skin

Some patients taking Tarceva have developed serious skin conditions. Some patients have died from these conditions.

Possible effects on the eye

Some patients taking Tarceva have developed eye irritation and damage to the cornea. Patients should tell their HCP about eye problems that get worse, including eye pain.

Tarceva and pregnancy and breast-feeding

Women should not become pregnant while on treatment with Tarceva. DO NOT breast-feed while receiving treatment with Tarceva.

When to call your HCP

Call your HCP right away if you have these signs or symptoms:

New or worsening skin rash
Serious or ongoing diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, or stomach pain
New or worsening shortness of breath or cough
Fever
Eye irritation

Before you start taking Tarceva

Some patients taking Tarceva have experienced difficulty with blood clotting, and bleeding events, including gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients taking blood thinners (Coumadin®, warfarin or other coumarin-derivatives) should be monitored regularly.

Taking other medicines and herbal supplements with Tarceva

It is important that you tell your HCP about all of the medicines and herbal supplements you are taking. DO NOT start taking any new medicines or herbal supplements before talking with your HCP. Tarceva may also affect other medications you are taking.

DO NOT eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while on treatment with Tarceva, except under the care of your HCP.

Smoking

Smoking may affect how well Tarceva works for you. If you smoke, you should stop smoking before starting treatment with Tarceva. Talk with your HCP about how to quit smoking. If you continue to smoke, you should talk to your HCP before taking Tarceva.

Common side effects of Tarceva

The most common side effects in patients who took Tarceva were mild to moderate rash and diarrhea. You may also have other changes in your skin.

Hair and nail changes have been seen with Tarceva.

Always let your HCP know if you have any side effects, and ask about the best way to handle them.

Tarceva is not right for everyone. Ask your HCP if once-daily Tarceva is right for you.

Please see the Tarceva full prescribing information for complete safety information.