What is celecoxib? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for example, ibuprofen (Motrin), aspirin, and naproxen (Naprosyn) used to treat arthritis, pain, menstrual cramps, and colonic polyps. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are important contributors to the inflammation of arthritis that causes pain, fever, swelling and tenderness. Celecoxib blocks the enzyme that makes...
rituximab (Rituxan) Side Effects, Uses, and Dosage
What is rituximab? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Rituximab is an intravenous drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Other monoclonal antibodies include trastuzumab (Herceptin) and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg). Tumor cells (like most normal cells) have receptors on their surfaces. Many kinds of...
cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) Cancer Drug Side Effects
What is cyclophosphamide? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Cyclophosphamide is a drug that is used primarily for treating several types of cancer. In order to work, cyclophosphamide first is converted by the liver into two chemicals, acrolein and phosphoramide. Acrolein and phosphoramide are the active compounds, and they slow the growth of cancer cells by interfering with the...
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Steps in This DNA Test
What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)? PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a method to analyze a short sequence of DNA (or RNA) even in samples containing only minute quantities of DNA or RNA. PCR is used to reproduce (amplify) selected sections of DNA or RNA. Previously, amplification of DNA involved cloning the segments of interest into vectors for expression in...
Lactose Tolerance Test: Diagnosing Lactose Intolerance
What is the lactose tolerance test? The lactose tolerance test is a test for diagnosing an intolerance of ingested lactose. Lactose intolerance is a genetic condition in which individuals are unable to digest and absorb the lactose sugar in cow’s milk. What is lactose intolerance? Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar in milk, lactose. Milk is an...
18 Liver Tests & Procedures
What are the liver-related procdures and tests? Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test Antimitochondrial Antibody (AMA) Test Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test CAT Scan Chemoinfusion and Chemoembolization of the Liver (TACE) Cholecystectomy Cholescintigraphy Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Laparoscopy Liver Biopsy Liver Blood Tests Liver Resection MRI Scan Proton Beam Therapy of the Liver Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Therapy Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic...
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Steps in This DNA Test
What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)? PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a method to analyze a short sequence of DNA (or RNA) even in samples containing only minute quantities of DNA or RNA. PCR is used to reproduce (amplify) selected sections of DNA or RNA. Previously, amplification of DNA involved cloning the segments of interest into vectors for expression in...
Breast Cancer Prevention Tips, Diet & Medications
Breast cancer prevention facts As is the case for most cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer is not clearly known. Furthermore, there is currently no cure for advanced disease, and there is no definitive way of preventing it. Breast cancer affects men and women. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. Over 260,000 new cases...
Tumor Grade: Grading Systems & Treatment Options
Tumor grade facts* *Tumor grade facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Tumor grade is a classification system based on the appearance of tumor cells under the microscope. Cancer cells that are described as low-grade (grade 1) have an appearance similar to normal cells. High-grade (grade 3) cancer cells appear distinctly abnormal under the microscope. Low-grade tumors are often referred...
Breast Cancer Prevention Tips, Diet & Medications
Breast cancer prevention facts As is the case for most cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer is not clearly known. Furthermore, there is currently no cure for advanced disease, and there is no definitive way of preventing it. Breast cancer affects men and women. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. Over 260,000 new cases...