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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 08/13/2009
  • Updated: 10/26/2011

Dacarbazine

listen 1  (duh-KAR-buh-zeen)

This page contains brief information about dacarbazine and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): DTIC-Dome
FDA Approved: Yes

Use in Cancer

Dacarbazine is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

Dacarbazine is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Dacarbazine

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 2 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Dacarbazine 3 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Research Results

Clinical Trial Results: PET Can Strongly Predict Likelihood of Early Relapse in Hodgkin Lymphoma 4 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Dacarbazine 5 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
Hodgkin lymphoma (HOJ-kin lim-FOH-muh)
A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The two major types of Hodgkin lymphoma are classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms include the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, or other immune tissue. Other symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats. Also called Hodgkin disease.
melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)
A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
metastasize (meh-TAS-tuh-size)
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/705216.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=39768
3http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682750.html
4http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/PETHodgkin0807
5http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=39768&idtype=1
6http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
7http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
8http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
9http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access