Avastin is an anti-angiogenic agent, a kind of cancer medicine that blocks the growth of blood vessels feeding the tumor, explains the American Brain Tumor Association. Avastin is used with other medications to treat brain cancer and other tumors such as breast and colon malignancies. Avastin has a number of side effects, some of which are serious. Most side effects, however, are manageable and do not require stopping therapy.
Neurologic Disorder
Rarely, Avastin causes a serious neurologic disorder in the brain, reports Drugs.com. Signs are headache, vision problems and seizures. Other symptoms are confusion and feeling faint or light-headed. These symptoms can appear a few hours after the first dose is taken, or up to a year after treatment begins. A patient experiencing any of these symptoms must contact a doctor immediately.
Holes in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Another rare side effect of Avastin is GI perforation, or holes in the gastrointestinal tract, explains the American Brain Tumor Association. Signs are abdominal pain, constipation or vomiting, reports Genentech, the company that manufactures the drug. Anyone taking Avastin who experiences these symptoms should contact a doctor immediately.
Bleeding
Hemorrhage, or sudden bleeding at the site of the tumor, is a potentially serious side effect of Avastin, reports the American Brain Association. Nosebleeds, bleeding gums or bleeding that do not stop may occur, reports Drugs.com. Most nosebleeds are easily managed. A patient experiencing a nosebleed should tilt her head forward and lightly pinch her nose. If bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, a health care provider should be contacted.
Hypertension
Rarely, Avastin causes a hypertensive crisis, a severe increase in blood pressure, which in extreme cases, can cause a stroke or heart attack, reports the American Brain Association and Genetech. Most people taking Avastin experience an increase in high blood pressure, which is treatable with medication. Patients must tell their health care provider if they have high blood pressure.
Kidney Damage
Kidney damage is another possible serious side effect of Avastin, reports the American Brain Association. Proteinuria, a high level of protein in the urine, signifies kidney damage. In some cases, treatment is temporarily halted until the protein levels drop, reports Genetech.
Blood Clot
All patients with brain tumors who take Avastin are at risk for a blood clot in their legs or lungs, explains The American Brain Association. The risk is higher in those who are older or are also undergoing chemotherapy, reports Genetech. If a serious blood clot occurs, Avastin must be discontinued.
