Brand Name: Vijoice
Generic Name: alpelisib
Drug Class: Antineoplastics, P13K Inhibitors
What is Vijoice (alpelisib), and what is it used for?
Vijoice (alpelisib) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of breast cancer and severe manifestations of PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) in adults and children 2 years of age and older who require systemic therapy. Vijoice may be used alone or with other medications.
Vijoice belongs to a class of drugs called Antineoplastics, P13K Inhibitors.
It is not known if Vijoice is safe and effective in children younger than 2 years of age.
The PROS indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Warnings
Do not take Vijoice if you have had a severe allergic reaction to alpelisib or are allergic to any of the ingredients in Vijoice.
Before you take Vijoice, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of diabetes.
- have a history of skin rash, redness of skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or skin peeling.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Vijoice can harm your unborn baby.
Females who are able to become pregnant:
-
- Your healthcare provider will check to see if you are pregnant before you start treatment with Vijoice.
- You should use effective birth control during treatment with Vijoice and for 1 week after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time.
- If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider right away.
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use condoms and effective birth control during treatment with Vijoice and for 1 week after the last dose. If your female partner becomes pregnant, tell your healthcare provider right away.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Vijoice passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Vijoice and for 1 week after the last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Vijoice and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
What are the side effects of Vijoice?
Vijoice may cause serious side effects including:
- hives,
- difficulty breathing,
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
- chest pain,
- cough,
- shortness of breath,
- severe or ongoing diarrhea,
- blisters or ulcers in your mouth,
- red or swollen gums,
- trouble swallowing,
- pale skin,
- unusual tiredness,
- cold hands and feet,
- little or no urination,
- increased thirst,
- increased urination,
- dry mouth,
- fruity breath odor,
- confusion,
- hunger, and
- weight loss
Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
The most common side effects of Vijoice include:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- weakness,
- tiredness,
- mouth sores,
- rash,
- hair loss, and
- abnormal blood tests
Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Vijoice. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the dosage for Vijoice?
Adult Patients
- The recommended dosage of Vijoice in adult patients is 250 mg orally, once daily, administered as recommended until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Pediatric Patients (2 to less than 18 years of age)
- The recommended initial dosage of Vijoice in pediatric patients is 50 mg orally, once daily, administered as recommended until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
- Consider a dose increase to 125 mg once daily in pediatric patients ≥ 6 years old for response optimization (clinical/radiological) after 24 weeks of treatment with Vijoice at 50 mg once daily.
- When a pediatric patient turns 18 years old, consider a gradual dose increase up to 250 mg. Recommended dose increases by age group are listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Recommended Daily Vijoice Dose Levels for Pediatric Patients (2 to less than 18 years of age)
Patient age (years) | Initial dose | Dose increase |
2 to < 6 | 50 mg | Not applicable* |
6 to < 18 | 50 mg | 125 mg |
*A recommended increased dose has not been established. |
Administration
- Take Vijoice with food at approximately the same time each day.
- No tablet should be used if it is broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged at the time of opening the blister pack.
- Swallow Vijoice tablets whole. Do not split or chew.
- If a dose of Vijoice is missed, it can be taken with food within 9 hours after the time it is usually taken. After more than 9 hours, skip the dose for that day. The next day, take Vijoice at the usual time.
- If the patient vomits after taking the dose, advise the patient not to take an additional dose on that day, and to resume the dosing schedule the next day at the usual time.
Preparation And Administration For Patients Who Have Difficulty Swallowing Tablets
- For patients who are not able to swallow tablets, administer Vijoice as
an oral suspension with food.
- Place Vijoice tablets in a glass containing 2 to 4 ounces of water and let it stand for approximately 5 minutes. Make the suspension with water only.
- Crush the tablets with a spoon and stir until an oral suspension is obtained.
- Administer the oral suspension immediately after preparation. Discard the oral suspension if it is not administered within 60 minutes after preparation.
- After administration of the oral suspension, add approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the same glass. Stir with the same spoon to re-suspend any remaining particles and administer the entire contents of the glass. Repeat if particles remain.
Dosage Modifications For Adverse Reactions
- The recommended Vijoice dose reductions for adverse reactions in adult and pediatric patients are listed in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively.
Table 2: Vijoice Dosage Reduction Recommendations for Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients
Vijoice dose level | Dose and schedule |
First-dose reduction | 125 mg once daily |
Second-dose reduction | 50 mg once daily |
Table 3: Vijoice Dosage Reduction Recommendations for Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients
Action | Vijoice dose prior to dose reduction | |
125 mg once daily | 50 mg once daily | |
Dose reduction | 50 mg once daily | Not applicable |
- Discontinue Vijoice in adults or pediatric patients who cannot tolerate 50 mg daily.
- Tables 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 summarize recommendations for dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation of Vijoice in the management of specific adverse reactions.
Cutaneous Adverse Reactions
- If a severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR) is confirmed, permanently discontinue Vijoice. Do not reintroduce Vijoice in patients who have experienced previous SCAR during Vijoice treatment.
Table 4: Dosage Modification and Management for Rash and Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs)
Gradea,b | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patientsc |
Grade 1 (< 10% body surface area (BSA) with active skin toxicity) | No Vijoice dosage modification is required unless the etiology is determined to be SCAR. Initiate topical corticosteroid treatment. Consider adding oral antihistamine to manage symptoms. If active rash is not improved within 28 days of appropriate treatment, add a low dose systemic corticosteroid. If the etiology is determined to be SCAR, permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
Grade 2 (10% to 30% BSA with active skin toxicity) | No Vijoice dosage modification is required unless the etiology is determined to be SCAR. Initiate or intensify topical corticosteroid and oral antihistamine treatment. Consider low dose systemic corticosteroid treatment. If rash improves to Grade ≤ 1 within 10 days, systemic corticosteroid may be discontinued. If the etiology is determined to be SCAR, permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
Grade 3 (e.g., severe rash not responsive to medical management) (> 30% BSA with active skin toxicity) | Interrupt Vijoice and initiate or intensify topical/systemic corticosteroid and oral antihistamine treatment. If the etiology is determined to be SCAR, permanently discontinue Vijoice. For rashes other than SCAR Adult Patients:
|
Grade 4 (e.g., severe bullous, blistering or exfoliating skin conditions) (any % BSA associated with extensive superinfection, with IV antibiotics indicated; life-threatening consequences) | Permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
aGrading according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0. bFor all grades of rash, consider consultation with a dermatologist. cAntihistamines administered prior to rash onset may decrease incidence and severity of rash. |
Hyperglycemia
- Before initiating treatment with Vijoice, test fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and optimize blood glucose.
- After initiating treatment with Vijoice, monitor fasting glucose (FPG or fasting blood glucose) at least once every week for the first 2 weeks, then at least once every 4 weeks, and as clinically indicated.
- Monitor HbA1c every 3 months and as clinically indicated. In patients with risk factors for hyperglycemia, monitor fasting glucose more closely and as clinically indicated.
Table 5: Dosage Modification and Management for Hyperglycemia
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG)/Fasting blood glucose valuesa | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patients |
Dose modifications and management should only be based on fasting glucose values (FPG or fasting blood glucose). | |
Grade 1 Fasting glucose > ULN -160 mg/dL or > ULN -8.9 mmol/L | No Vijoice dosage modification is required. Initiate or intensify oral anti-hyperglycemic treatmentb. |
Grade 2 Fasting glucose > 160 -250 mg/dL or > 8.9 -13.9 mmol/L | No Vijoice dosage modification is required. Initiate or intensify oral anti-hyperglycemic treatmentb. Adult Patients:
|
Grade 3 Fasting glucose > 250 -500 mg/dL or > 13.9 -27.8 mmol/L | Interrupt Vijoice. Initiate or intensify oral anti-hyperglycemic treatmentb and consider additional anti-hyperglycemic medications for 1-2 days until hyperglycemia improves, as clinically indicated. Administer intravenous hydration and consider appropriate treatment (e.g., intervention for electrolyte/ketoacidosis/hyperosmolar disturbances). |
Adult Patients:
|
|
Grade 4 Fasting glucose > 500 mg/dL or ≥ 27.8 mmol/L | Interrupt Vijoice. Initiate or intensify appropriate oral anti-hyperglycemic treatmentb. Administer intravenous hydration and consider appropriate treatment (e.g., intervention for electrolyte/ketoacidosis/hyperosmolar disturbances). Re-check fasting glucose within 24 hours and as clinically indicated.
|
Abbreviation: ULN, upper limit of normal. aFPG/Fasting Blood Glucose/Grade levels reflect hyperglycemia grading according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.03. bInitiate applicable anti-hyperglycemic medications, including metformin in adult and pediatric patients = 10 years, SGLT2 inhibitors or insulin sensitizers (such as thiazolidinediones or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors) in adult patients, and review respective prescribing information for dosing and dose titration recommendations, including local hyperglycemic treatment guidelines. |
Pneumonitis
Table 6: Dosage Modification for Pneumonitis
Gradea | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patients |
Any Grade |
|
aGrading according to CTCAE Version 5.0. |
Diarrhea
- In pediatric patients, consider consultation with a physician with experience in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions.
Table 7: Dosage Modification and Management for Diarrhea
Gradea | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patients |
Grade 1 | No Vijoice dosage modification is required. Initiate appropriate medical therapy and monitor as clinically indicated. |
Grade 2 | Interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade < 1, then resume
Vijoice at the same dose level. Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy and monitor as clinically indicated. Adult Patients:
|
Grade 3 | Interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade ≤ 1. Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy and monitor as clinically indicated.Adult Patients:
|
Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
aGrading according to CTCAE Version 5.0. |
Pancreatitis
Table 8: Dosage Modification for Pancreatitis
Gradea | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patients |
Grade 2 | Interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade < 2. Adult Patients:
|
Grade 3 | Adult Patients:
|
Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
aGrading according to CTCAE Version 5.0. |
Other Adverse Reactions
Table 9: Dosage Modification and Management for Other Adverse Reactions (Excluding Rash and Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Hyperglycemia, Pneumonitis, Diarrhea, and Pancreatitis)
Gradea | Recommendation for adult and pediatric patients |
Grade 1 or 2b,c | No Vijoice dosage modification is required. Initiate appropriate medical therapy and monitor as clinically indicatedbc. |
Grade 3 | Interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade ≤ 1. Initiate or intensify appropriate medical therapy and monitor as clinically indicated. Adult Patients:
|
Grade 4 | Permanently discontinue Vijoice. |
aGrading according to CTCAE Version 5.0. bFor Grade 2 total bilirubin elevation in adult patients, interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade ≤ 1. If improvement occurs in ≤ 14 days, resume at the same dose level. If improvement occurs in > 14 days, resume Vijoice at the next lower dose level. cFor Grade 2 total bilirubin elevation in pediatric patients, interrupt Vijoice dose until improvement to Grade ≤ 1. If improvement occurs in ≤ 14 days, resume at the same dose level. If improvement occurs in > 14 days, resume Vijoice at 50 mg. |
Addiction/overdose
- There is limited experience of overdose with alpelisib in clinical trials.
- In cases where accidental overdosage of alpelisib was reported in the clinical studies, the adverse reactions associated with the overdose were consistent with the known safety profile of alpelisib and included hyperglycemia, nausea, asthenia, and rash.
- Initiate general symptomatic and supportive measures in all cases of overdosage where necessary. There is no known antidote for Vijoice.
What drugs interact with Vijoice?
CYP3A4 Inducers
- Avoid coadministration of Vijoice with strong CYP3A4 inducers.
- Alpelisib is metabolized by CYP3A4. Concomitant use of Vijoice with a strong CYP3A4 inducer may decrease alpelisib concentration, which may decrease alpelisib activity.
Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Inhibitors (BCRP)
- Avoid the use of BCRP inhibitors in patients treated with Vijoice. If unable to use alternative drugs, when Vijoice is used in combination with BCRP inhibitors, closely monitor for increased adverse reactions.
- Alpelisib is transported by BCRP. Concomitant use of Vijoice with a BCRP inhibitor may increase alpelisib exposure, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Effect Of Vijoice On Other Drugs
CYP2C9 Substrates
- Closely monitor CYP2C9 substrates where minimal concentration changes of the CYP2C9 substrate may reduce activity when used concomitantly with Vijoice.
- Alpelisib induces CYP2C9. Concomitant use of Vijoice with CYP2C9 substrates may reduce exposure of these drugs, which may reduce activity.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Based on animal data and mechanism of action, Vijoice can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk.
- There are no data on the presence of alpelisib in human milk, its effects on milk production, or the breastfed child.
- Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise lactating women to not breastfeed during treatment with Vijoice and for 1 week after the last dose.
Summary
Vijoice (alpelisib) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of breast cancer and severe manifestations of PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) in adults and children 2 years of age and older who require systemic therapy. Vijoice may cause serious side effects, including hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face/lips/tongue/throat, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, severe or ongoing diarrhea, blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing, pale skin, unusual tiredness, cold hands and feet, little or no urination, increased thirst, increased urination, and others. Vijoice can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Lactating women should not breastfeed during treatment with Vijoice.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Breast Cancer Awareness: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Learn about breast cancer causes, symptoms, tests, recovery, and prevention. Discover the types of treatments such as surgery and...
-
Genetics: 11 Surprising Things Your Genes Say About You
Explore what role DNA plays in your health, love life, and more in this WebMD slideshow.
-
10 Things Young Women Should Know About Breast Cancer
Is breast cancer genetic? Should I get tested for the BRCA gene? What every young women should know about breast cancer. Discover...
-
Breast Cancer: Visual Guide to Male Breast Cancer
Breast cancer isn't just a woman's disease. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of male breast cancer, and find out what can...
-
Breast Cancer Quiz: Symptoms & Signs
This Breast Cancer Quiz features signs, symptoms, facts, causes, common forms, terms, risk factors, statistics, and more. ...
-
Family Health History: Genetics, DNA Testing and Your Health
WebMD explains why your doctor asks about your relatives' health conditions and how you can get the information if you don’t know.
-
Breast Cancer: Surprising Things That Can Help During and After Treatment
When you have breast cancer, help can come from some unexpected places. WebMD shares a few.
-
Breast Cancer: Where It Can Spread
When breast cancer spreads, or metastasizes, it often goes to these five places: the lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs, and brain....
-
Breast Cancer: Female Celebrities Who’ve Had Breast Cancer
Celebrities face medical challenges too, including breast cancer. Find out how actors, entertainers, and other famous women dealt...
-
Breast Cancer: 9 Surprising Benefits of Pet Ownership for Breast Cancer
Owning a pet can help you ease stress and anxiety, manage high blood pressure, and stay active, even when you have breast cancer.
-
Everyday Habits to Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Concerned about your breast cancer risk? Here are everyday health habits you can adopt to improve your odds.
-
Breast Cancer: Diet Tips for Breast Cancer
No single food or diet plan prevents breast cancer, but what you eat plays a role in how likely you are to get the disease or...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Genetic Diseases
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis. Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
-
What Foods To Avoid If You Have Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the United States. Based on the type of proteins in the breast cells responsible for breast cancer, breast cancer is divided into two types
-
How Do I Know If I Have Telogen Effluvium or Androgenetic Alopecia?
What is the difference between telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia? Learn about these hair loss conditions and how to treat them.
-
Breast Cancer in Men
Second Source WebMD Medical Reference
-
How Common Is Lymphovascular Invasion in Breast Cancer?
About 30% of breast cancers metastasize to nearby blood vessels and lymph nodes, a process called lymphovascular invasion.
-
Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.
-
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an invasive tumor that develops in the mammary gland. Breast cancer is detected via mammograms, breast self-examination (BSE), biopsy, and specialized testing on breast cancer tissue. Treatment of breast cancer may involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Breast cancer risk may be lowered by managing controllable risk factors. What you should know about breast cancer Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. One in every eight women in the United States develops breast cancer. There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading (metastasize) to other body tissues. The causes of breast cancer are unknown, although medical professionals have identified a number of risk factors. There are 11 common types of breast cancer and 4 uncommon types of breast cancer. Breast cancer early signs and symptoms include a lump in the breast or armpit, bloody nipple discharge, inverted nipple, orange-peel texture or dimpling of the breast's skin (peau d'orange), breast pain or sore nipple, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, and a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple. Breast cancer can also be symptom free, which makes following national screening recommendations an important practice. Breast cancer is diagnosed during a physical exam, by a self-exam of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy. Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage (0-IV) and may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
-
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in Hispanic and African-American women. Signs and symptoms include a lump in the armpit or breast, nipple discharge and inversion, and changes in the breast's skin. Treatment may incorporate surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
-
What Do Male Breast Cancer Lumps Feel Like?
A lump-like swelling in the breast that may or may not be painful is the most common symptom of male breast cancer. A lump or thickening may be near the breast or in the underarm area.
-
Can Fibroadenomas Turn Into Breast Cancer?
A fibroadenoma is the most common type of benign, non-cancerous lump of the breast. Although it is rare, complex fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumors have a chance to develop into malignant breast cancer.
-
What Were Your First Signs of Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but rapidly growing cancer that gives rise to several signs and symptoms, mostly within a span of three to six months. One of the first signs is most likely to be visible swelling (edema) of the skin of the breast and/or redness of the breast (covers more than 30 percent of the breast).
-
Is Multiple Myeloma Genetic or Hereditary?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the white blood cells, also called plasma cells. Multiple myeloma is linked to specific gene mutations.
-
Can You Get Pregnant with MTHFR Gene Mutation?
While women can get pregnant with an MTHFR gene mutation, they may have an increased risk of complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, congenital birth defects, and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).
-
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is not usually detected by mammogram or ultrasound. Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include pain in the breast, skin change in the breast area, bruise on the breast,sudden swelling of the breast, nipple retraction or discharge, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
-
Breast Cancer Prevention
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
-
Breast Cancer and Coping With Stress
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is stressful. Learning relaxation techniques, exercising, eating well, getting adequate sleep, receiving psychotherapy, and maintaining a positive attitude can help you cope. Creating documents, such as an advance directive, living will, and durable power of attorney will outline your wishes in the event that you are no longer able to make decisions regarding your care.
-
Breast Cancer and Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a common chronic, debilitating condition in which excess fluid called lymph collects in tissues and causes swelling in them. It is common after a mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy.
-
Can You Be Genetically Fat?
Being overweight is caused by many factors. It has been proven that not just one type of gene but many different genes are linked with being overweight and even with being obese.
-
Breast Cancer Recurrence
Breast cancer most often recurs within the first 3-5 years after the initial treatment. Changes in the look, feel, or appearance of the breast may indicate breast cancer recurrence. Factors related to recurrence include tumor size, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, lymph node involvement, and oncogene expression. Check out the center below for more medical references on breast cancer, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
Can You Live a Normal Life After Breast Cancer?
With today's advanced treatment and early detection, breast cancer survivors can live a long and full life after breast cancer treatment.
-
Are Food Allergies Passed Down Genetically?
A food allergy is a condition that causes your immune system to fight against a particular part of food — which is called an allergen. Food allergies can be hereditary — that is, parents can pass the likelihood of developing a food allergy to their children through genes that code for inherited traits.
-
How Long After Breast Cancer Can You Get Lymphedema?
Breast cancer means a disease in which the cells of your breast abnormally grow out of control. It commonly occurs in women than in men. There are different types of breast cancer depending on the type of cells that turned cancerous (grow wildly).
-
Breast Cancer Stages
Breast cancer staging is the determination of the extent and spread of cancer. An individual's health care team uses stages to summarize the extent of cancer in a standardized way that is recognized by all health care providers. They use this staging to determine the treatment most appropriate for the type of cancer. Cancer staging helps to determine the prognosis, or outlook, of cancer, including rates of recurrence and survival rates.
-
Are There Any Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. Around 250,000 women and 2,300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States. Each year, breast cancer kills around 42000 women and 510 men in the United States.
-
What Type of Breast Cancer Is Most Likely to Metastasize?
While all types of breast cancer have the potential to metastasize, HER2-positive and triple-negative cancers are more likely to metastasize faster than the other types.
-
How Common Is Breast Cancer in Teens? Causes
Breast cancer in teenagers is extremely rare, occurring only in about one teen out of a million.
-
How Quickly Do Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer Appear?
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type of breast cancer accounting for around 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases. There are three main parts in a breast: lobules, ducts and connective tissue. The milk-producing glands form the lobules. Milk formed in the lobules is carried to the nipples through tube-like channels called the ducts.
-
Where Is the First Place Breast Cancer Spreads?
Breast cancer starts in the breast tissues and usually first spreads to the lymph nodes under the arms, around the collarbone and inside the breasts.
-
Eight Early Signs of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in the United States (next to some types of skin cancer that are most common). Screening tests can help you identify if you have the condition.
-
Can HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Be Cured?
HER2-positive breast cancer is associated with cancer cells that have extra copies of the HER2 gene and produce extra HER2 receptor proteins. With recent advances in medicine, it is considered that HER2-positive breast cancer is curable.
-
HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
In about 10%-20% of breast cancers, the cancer cells test positive for HER2, sometimes referred to as the HER2/neu protein. HER2 is a growth-promoting protein located on the surface of some cancer cells. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to grow more rapidly and spread more aggressively than breast cancers that are HER2-negative. Doctors do not know what specifically causes some breast cancers to express this protein while others do not.
-
Breast Cancer Early Warning Signs and Symptoms
In most cases, there are no early warning signs of breast cancer. Breast cancer may not produce any early symptoms, and in many cases, it is first discovered on screening mammography. The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast.
-
What Is Usually the First Sign of Breast Cancer?
A lump in the breast or in the armpits is often the first sign of breast cancer. This may be felt while in the shower. There may or may not be changes in the structure of the breast. Other early signs include changes in breast skin, breast pain and others.
-
Is Breast Cancer Metastatic Terminal?
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer globally, overtaking lung cancer in some countries. Metastatic breast cancer is an advanced stage cancer that has spread to distant organs.
-
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer treatments depend upon the type of breast cancer that is present as well as the stage (extent of spread) of the tumor. Treatment for early breast cancer typically involves surgery to remove the tumor. After surgery, medical professionals may administer radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
-
What Is the Breast Cancer BRCA Gene Test?
BRCA genes (BRCA 1 and 2, when normal, repair damaged DNA) are among the genetic mutations linked to breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other cancers when mutated. Every woman with a BRCA mutation is at high risk for breast cancer, irrespective of whether she has a family history of breast cancer or not. By age 80, a woman with a BRCA mutation has about an 80% chance of developing breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations also increase the risk of ovarian cancer, by 54% and 23%, respectively.
-
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About Breast Cancer?
A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming, so it's important to write down all your questions before meeting with your doctor.
-
What Should I Know About Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer of American women, but it can also occur in men. Every year in the U.S., there are over 266,000 new diagnoses of breast cancer. A woman has a risk of one in eight for developing breast cancer at some point during her lifetime.
-
Breast Cancer Treatment by Stage
Treatment of breast cancer depends upon the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Some of the various treatments include: hormone therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and adjuvant therapy.
-
What Is the Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer?
The first nodes in the axilla affected by breast cancer are known as sentinel or guardian lymph nodes. A positive sentinel lymph node biopsy or SLNB indicates that the cancer is no longer in situ.
-
How Do You Reduce Estrogen After Breast Cancer?
Hormone therapy for breast cancer uses treatments to lower estrogen levels or just block circulating estrogen from acting on breast cancer cells.
-
Can Asthma Be Genetic?
While asthma genes are inherited in families, the risks of developing the condition are half due to genetic susceptibility and half due to environmental factors.
-
What Are the Signs of Metastatic Breast Cancer?
Signs of metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) include constant fatigue, constant nausea, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
-
What Are the 4 Stages of Breast Cancer?
The four stages of breast cancer include Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, and Stage IV. There is one more stage called stage 0 or carcinoma in situ. It means the initial stage where the cancerous cells are confined to their origin and have not acquired the “invasive” character yet.
-
What Are the 13 Signs of Breast Cancer?
Here are the 13 signs of breast cancer that can help you detect the disease at the earlier stages, allowing for a better prognosis.
-
What Are The Five Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer?
The majority of breast cancer patients first seek diagnosis because of a lump on the breast. This is one of the five warning signs of breast cancer. Others include changes in the nipple, changes in the breast skin and other symptoms.
-
What Are the Four Types of Breast Cancer?
The four most common types of breast cancer are ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma. The designations are based on the locations of the tumors, whether they have spread and where they have spread to.
-
How Is PIK3CA Mutation Treated?
The FDA approved the drug Piqray (alpelisib) for the treatment of PIK3CA mutations associated with advanced breast cancer. Learn about PIK3CA mutation and Piqray drug side effects.
-
Breast Cancer in Young Women
About 5% of cases of breast cancer occur in women under the age of 40 years old. Some risk factors for breast cancer in young women include a personal history of breast cancer or breast disease, family history of breast cancer, prior radiation therapy, and the presence of BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations. Breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, and screening mammograms may help detect breast cancer. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.
-
Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Breast cancer clinical trials are research programs designed to evaluate new medical treatments, drugs, or devices for the treatment of breast cancer. Clinical trials are designed to test the safety and efficacy of new treatments as well as assess potential side effects. Clinical trials also compare new treatment to existing treatments to determine if it's any better. There are many important questions to ask your doctor before taking part in a breast cancer clinical trial.
-
Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Breast cancer occurs in about 1 in every 1,000 pregnant women. Treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy involves surgery, but it is very difficult to protect the baby from the dangerous effects of radiation and chemotherapy. It can be an agonizing to decide whether or not to undergo breast cancer treatment while one is pregnant.
-
What Age Does Breast Cancer Usually Start?
Breast cancer is most often diagnosed in women older than 45 years of age (about 80 percent of all cases).
-
Breast Cancer Growth Rate
The available evidence suggests that breast cancer may begin to grow around 10 years before it is detected. However, the time for development differs from tumor to tumor.
-
How Can You Tell if a Guy Has Breast Cancer?
A breast tumor or cancer is suspected if the guy has a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Male breast cancer exhibits the same symptoms as female breast cancer, including a lump. Male breast cancer may also cause skin changes around the nipple.
-
How Can You Detect Breast Cancer Early?
Breast cancer develops from the cells of the breasts and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). It is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in the United States. A lump in the breast or armpit is often the first sign. Treatment success depends largely on early detection.
-
Who Should Get Genetic Counselling?
Genetic counseling is the process that helps you in determining hereditary or genetic (running in your family) problems that might affect you or your family. It is done by a trained professional.
-
What Does Breast Cancer in a Man Feel Like?
Male breast cancer is rare and affects 2.7 out of 100,000 African American men and 1.9 out of 100,000 Caucasian men in the United States.
-
Is Aarskog-Scott Syndrome a Genetic Disorder?
Aarskog-Scott syndrome is a rare X-linked genetic disorder that is caused by a genetic mutation in the FGD1 gene.
-
What is PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS)?
PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) is a group of rare genetic conditions characterized by an overgrowth of body tissues. Read about the different types and causes.
-
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells within the breast. The risk factors for developing breast cancer include age, genetics, family history, personal history, menstrual history, breast density, previous radiation therapy, ethnicity, body weight, physical activity level, reproductive history, alcohol consumption and hormone pill use.
-
What Is the Newest Treatment for Breast Cancer?
Targeted therapies are a newer form of breast cancer treatment. They can be used alone or along with other therapies. Targeted therapies directly target cancer cells or specific processes that contribute to the growth of cancer cells. Target therapy often has fewer side effects.
-
Genetic Testing: Families With Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can be a killer and the decision to get tested to see if a patient is prone to the disease should be discussed with a doctor -- particularly if the woman has a history of breast cancer in her family. Genetic testing can only tell so much about breast cancer risk, however.
-
How Does Breast Cancer Start?
Breast cancer develops in the cells of the breasts and can spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). It is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in the US. Although extremely rare, breast cancer can sometimes occur in men. Breast cancer forms when there are changes or mutations in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which can cause normal breast cells to become cancerous.
-
How Common Is Breast Cancer in Men?
Breast cancer is more common in women. However, men can get breast cancer too. The chances of occurrence of breast cancer in men are rare. Out of every 100 breast cancer diagnosed in the United States, 1 is found in a man.
-
What Are the Reasons for Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a multifactorial disease that can be caused by genetic and environmental factors. Experts are not yet fully aware of what may be the exact reason for breast cancer. The chances of getting breast cancer depend on the person’s age, personal history, genetic factors, and diet.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Husband
- Breast Cancer: A Feisty Women's Discussion
- Breast Cancer: Mother-daughter relationships
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Male Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer: Early Stage Treatments
- Breast Cancer: Clinical Trials - Today's Cutting Edge
- Breast Cancer, Metastatic: Treatment Goals and Therapy Options -- Harold J. Burstein, MD
- Breast Cancer: Early Diagnosis and Prevention
- Breast Cancer Treatment Update
- Gene Therapy Update with Charles Link, MD, FACP
- Breast Cancer, Taking Control: Self-Advocacy 101
- Breast Cancer: The Male View on Survival and Support
- Breast Cancer FAQs
- Breast Cancer Risk - Reduced With Exercise
- Genetics: What Are Little Boys & Girls Made Of?
- Genetics Information Online
- Herceptin Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment
- Canavan Disease - Genetic Screening Advised
- Gene Therapy - The Future Is Here!
- Is Lupus Genetic?
- Hormone Therapy in Survivors of Breast Cancer
- Breastfeeding -- Protection from Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: Types of Breast Cancer
- Stress and Aggressive Breast Cancer: Cause or Effect?
- Advanced Breast Cancer in Young Women Increasing
- Angelina Jolie's Mastectomy
- Colon Cancer, The Genetic Factor
- Exercise Improves Breast Cancer Survival
- Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic?
- Does Positive Additude Affect Breast Cancer?
- If Both Parents Died of Cancer, Will I Get It?
- How Common and Dangerous Is Male Breast Cancer?
- Is Prostate Cancer Genetic?
- How Many Breast Cancer Deaths Are there Each Year?
- Where Can Breast Cancer Spread To?
- Is MS passed on genetically?
- Why Is Breast Cancer More Common in Females than Males?
- How Much Breast Cancer is Genetic?
- How Long Can Breast Cancer Patients Live?
- Who Does Breast Cancer Affect?
- How Does Breast Cancer Form?
- Is Schizophrenia a Genetic Disorder?
- How Many Breast Cancer Stages Are There?
- Facts on Breast Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Types
- Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs
- Breast Cancer Detection
- Breast Cancer Treatment
Prevention & Wellness

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.