PORFIMER SODIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Porfimer Sodium is a medication used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of various types of cancer. It is a synthetic compound derived from chlorophyll, a pigment found in green plants, and belongs to the porphyrin family.
When administered intravenously, Porfimer Sodium is activated by exposure to laser light of a specific wavelength. The activated compound produces reactive oxygen species, leading to the destruction of cancer cells in the presence of oxygen. This process is known as photodynamic therapy and is used as a non-surgical treatment option for certain types of cancer, including esophageal and non-small cell lung cancer.
Porfimer Sodium is typically used in combination with laser light therapy, where the patient receives the medication first, followed by laser light exposure to the tumor area. The light activates the Porfimer Sodium, which then produces cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells, destroying the tumor.
Common side effects of Porfimer Sodium treatment include skin sensitivity to light, pain at the treatment site, nausea, and vomiting. Patients undergoing PDT with Porfimer Sodium are advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight or bright lights for a period after treatment due to photosensitivity.
In conclusion, Porfimer Sodium is a medication that is injected intravenously for use in photodynamic therapy. It is activated by laser light, leading to the destruction of cancer cells. This treatment approach provides a non-surgical option for certain types of cancer, but patients must take precautions to avoid light exposure due to its photosensitizing effects.
Common Misspellings for PORFIMER SODIUM
- oorfimer sodium
- lorfimer sodium
- -orfimer sodium
- 0orfimer sodium
- pirfimer sodium
- pkrfimer sodium
- plrfimer sodium
- pprfimer sodium
- p0rfimer sodium
- p9rfimer sodium
- poefimer sodium
- podfimer sodium
- poffimer sodium
- potfimer sodium
- po5fimer sodium
- po4fimer sodium
- pordimer sodium
- porcimer sodium
- porvimer sodium
- porgimer sodium
Etymology of PORFIMER SODIUM
The word "porfimer" does not have a clear etymology, as it is a trademarked name given to a synthetic photosensitizing agent used in the treatment of certain cancers. The term "porfi-" might be derived from the Greek word "porphyra", meaning purple, possibly referring to the dye properties of porfimer. However, this is purely speculative.
Regarding "sodium", it is the chemical element name derived from the Latin word "sodanum", which ultimately originates from the Arabic word "suda", meaning headache or dizziness. Sodium refers to a metallic element that is highly reactive and commonly used in various compounds and medications. In the case of "porfimer sodium", it indicates that the chemical compound includes the element sodium.
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