What Is Taxotere Used For?

If you caught our last article, What You Need to Know About Taxotere, the experienced pharmaceutical litigation team at Napoli Shkolnik PLLC explored what Taxotere is and why it is a dangerous pharmaceutical linked to permanent hair loss in breast cancer survivors treated with this drug. In short, Taxotere is an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug that has been used by medical professionals for decades to treat different types of cancer, but more specifically, breast cancer. The drug Taxotere, also known by its generic name, Docetaxel, was designed by pharmaceutical companies to aggressively prevent the cancer cells from dividing and spreading. The solvent drug is administered intravenously so that it enters the bloodstream and immediately begins attacking cancerous cells. Taxotere is often used in combination with other chemotherapy treatments, after surgery, and/or after another chemotherapy treatment has failed to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells to other regions of the body.

While Taxotere is most commonly used to treat breast cancer, doctors also employ this drug in the treatment of other types of cancer. Today, the pharmaceutical attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik PLLC will explore the uses for Taxotere in treating other types of cancer. Should you or a loved one feel that you have experienced long-term side effects — such as permanent hair loss — as a result of Taxotere treatments, reach out to our dedicated pharmaceutical lawyers to discuss your case.

 

 

What Is Taxotere Used For?

Below are the common uses for Taxotere in treating a number of different cancers.

Breast Cancer

As we have mentioned, Taxotere and its generic counterpart are most commonly used to treat different types of breast cancer. This pharmaceutical is typically administered in combination with other chemotherapy treatments and is given after a patient undergoes a surgical procedure. Taxotere is used to treat the following types of breast cancer:

Early-Stage Breast Cancer

If early-stage breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes following a surgery, a health professional may prescribe Taxotere as an aggressive way to stop the division of cancerous cells and slow the process of spreading to other areas of the breast and/or body.

 

Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer

In the case of breast cancer that has advanced, Taxotere may be employed to treat advanced-stage breast cancer that is not responding to other chemotherapy treatments, like Doxorubicin. If advanced-stage breast cancer has spread to other parts of the breast, or other areas of the body, following the use of other chemotherapy treatments, Taxotere may also be given.

 

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of two types of lung cancer that can affect nonsmokers and smokers. According to the American Cancer Society, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for between 80 and 85 percent of all lung cancer diagnoses. While there are subtypes of NSCLC that develop and present in different ways, they are typically treated the same because they are so similar. While treatment is determined based on the stage of NSCLC and other factors, Taxotere may be administered along with other drug therapies, radiation therapy, and post-surgery.

 

Advanced Stomach Cancer

There are many types of stomach cancer, including:

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Lymphoma
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
  • Carcinoid tumor
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (rare)
  • Small cell carcinoma (rare)
  • Leiomyosarcoma (rare)

Advanced stomach cancer occurs when cancer has spread from the stomach to other areas of the body. In this case, medical professionals may recommend aggressive cancer treatments, like Taxotere, to slow and control the spread of cancer while shrinking it.

 

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is defined as a group of cancers occurring in the throat, mouth, sinuses, and nose. More specifically, these cancers affect the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, and the salivary glands. Often, these cancers are caused by alcohol and tobacco uses, and may also be caused by cancer-causing infections like the human papillomavirus (HPV). Other causes may include:

  • Paan (betel quid)
  • Preserved or salted foods
  • Poor oral health and hygiene
  • Occupational exposure
  • Radiation exposure
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection

While head and neck cancer treatments are determined by several factors, treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy such as Taxotere, or a combination of several or all of these treatments.

Metastatic Prostate Cancer

For about 50 percent of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the disease will become metastatic. Metastatic prostate cancer is defined by its “metastatic” state; when it has metastasized and spread to other parts of the body. In most cases, prostate cancer spreads to lymph nodes, bones, lungs, or liver, which is why medical professionals often employ the use of aggressive treatments. Using aggressive treatments like the chemotherapy drug Taxotere can:

  • Help manage symptoms
  • Control or slow the rate at which cancer grows and spreads
  • Reduce the size of the tumor

 

Potential Uses for Taxotere

According to Chemocare, Taxotere is currently being studied as a potential aggressive treatment for the following types of cancer.

 

Small Cell Lung Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a rare type of lung cancer accounting for 10 to 15 percent of all lung cancer diagnoses. Commonly caused by smoking, SCLC is a type of fast-developing cancer, recognized as one of the most aggressive types of cancer. It develops very fast in the bronchial tubes and quickly spreads (metastasizes) throughout the body.

 

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer affects women’s ovaries — the reproductive glands that produce eggs for reproduction. Medical professionals believe that ovarian cancers develop in the cells in the fallopian tubes and spread. Because the ovaries are made up of three different kinds of cells, the ovaries are at risk of developing cancer in the form of a tumor in each type of cell. The tumors include:

  • Epithelial tumors; these make up the majority of ovarian tumors.
  • Germ cell tumors
  • Stromal tumors

While many ovarian tumors are non-cancerous (benign), others can metastasize and become fatal. Researchers are looking for more aggressive cancer drugs, like Taxotere, to prevent the spread of these cancerous cells that become fatal.

 

Bladder Cancer

The Mayo Clinic reports that bladder cancer affects as many as 68,000 adults in the United States, often affecting men more so than women. While bladder cancer can develop in people of any age, it typically affects older populations. Bladder cancer often spreads into the different layers of tissue that make up the bladder wall, which can sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes, bones, lungs, livers, and other parts of the body. There are different types of bladder cancer, including:

  • Urothelial carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma

 

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer affects the small organ located just behind the lower part of the stomach. While researchers and doctors still don’t fully understand what causes cancer of the pancreas, it is believed to be the result of abnormal cell growth passed down in the genetic makeup of cells. These abnormal growths can cause pancreatic tumors to form.

 

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma affects the soft tissues in various parts of the body. When malignant cancer cells form in the soft tissues — the muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and connective tissues around joints — health professionals may look to a combination of treatments to slow the progress of cancer. Because Taxotere was designed to aggressively slow cancerous cell division, researchers are studying its effect on soft tissue sarcoma.

 

Melanoma

Melanoma is caused by the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In fact, the Melanoma Research Foundation suggests that almost 90 percent of melanoma cases can be connected to UV exposure. Melanoma is the most dangerous and aggressive type of skin cancer because of its ability to rapidly multiply, spread, and form malignant (cancerous) tumors. Because of its aggressive nature, scientists are looking for more aggressive treatments that can attack the cancerous cells, destroy them, and prevent them from multiplying and spreading.

 

Why It’s Important to Know What Taxotere Is Used For?

Cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting people of all ages, from all walks of life, regardless of where they live. Because Taxotere is used to treat a myriad of types of cancer, it is essential to raise awareness about the dangers of this powerful pharmaceutical. In recent months, numerous breast cancer survivors have come forward claiming that Taxotere has caused them permanent hair loss. As such, the pharmaceutical attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik PLLC representing these breast cancer survivors have filed legal claims against the drug manufacturers of Taxotere, including Sanofi, Sanofi-Aventis, and Actavis. These mass tort claims allege that the drug manufacturers acted with severe negligence when they continued to willingly manufacture, market, and sell Taxotere, all while knowing about the dangerous, long-term side effects this drug can cause. They failed to warn and prepare breast cancer patients about the potential permanent hair loss they could face from receiving Taxotere treatments.

 

Our Pharmaceutical Litigation Team Can Fight for You

If you or someone you care about has suffered permanent hair loss after receiving Taxotere treatments, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your pain and suffering. Our experienced pharmaceutical lawyers are ready to aggressively fight for you, so reach out to Napoli Shkolnik PLLC today to discuss your case. Call or click for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.