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Benefits of Taxol
In clinical studies, Taxol® (paclitaxel) has been shown to be beneficial for several types of cancer, including:
- Advanced ovarian cancer
- Metastatic breast cancer
- Breast cancer that has returned within six months of prior chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is not likely to be cured by surgery or radiation.
Depending on the type of cancer being treated and the extent of the disease, Taxol may be used alone or in combination with other cancer medications. It stops cancer cells from growing and multiplying by interfering with certain structures in the cell. Common side effects of this medication include hair loss, muscle weakness, and low levels of white blood cells.
(Click Taxol to learn more about this drug's benefits. This article also looks at how it works, who can take it, other potential side effects, and what to tell your healthcare provider before starting treatment.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD