Contents:
- Medical Video: Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy for Estrogen Receptor Positive Early Stage Breast Cancer
- How do aromatase inhibitors work?
- What are the side effects of aromatase inhibitors?
- What things should be considered?
Medical Video: Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy for Estrogen Receptor Positive Early Stage Breast Cancer
Aromatase inhibitors function to stop estrogen production in women who experience menopause. There are three types of drugs that can stop estrogen production in postmenopausal women namely letrozole (Femara), anastrozole (Arimidex) and exemestane (Aromasin). This drug also serves to treat early breast cancer.
When compared with tamoxifen, the above drugs are better able to reduce the risk of cancer coming back only with a consumption period of five years. In early stage cancer, the function of aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer positive receptor hormones is believed to have more excess and fewer side effects than tamoxifen.
How do aromatase inhibitors work?
Aromatase inhibitors will block enzymes in fat tissue and this network has a role in converting endogenous hormones to estrogen. This drug does not stop the ovary from producing estrogen but lowers estrogen levels itself. This lack of estrogen levels will stimulate the growth of positive breast cancer receptor hormones.
What are the side effects of aromatase inhibitors?
Some studies suggest that aromatase inhibitors have serious side effects on the body compared to tamoxifen. Aromatase does not cause uterine cancer and rarely causes blood clots, but aromatase can cause stiffness and pain in the joints. By switching to aromatase inhibitors, these side effects will increase and most women stop treatment. Doctors will recommend switching to tamoxifen within five years of treatment in order to avoid side effects in the joints.
Aromatase inhibitors can also cause bone thinning because they are able to eliminate estrogen after menopause. These inhibitors do not cause serious side effects such as blood clots, strokes, and endrometrial cancer, but inhibitors can usually cause heart problems and bone damage in the first year of treatment such as osteoporosis or broken bones. Some drugs to strengthen bones such as bisphosphonates or denosumab will be given to strengthen bone conditions. Patients will also be recommended to take a bone density test so patients can decide whether they will continue to take aromatase inhibitors or not.
The patient must notify the side effects they experience because he will need different drugs such as arimidex and femara which have different chemical structures, while aromasin has the same chemical structure.
What things should be considered?
Before deciding to take or choose an aromatase inhibitor, you should consult with your doctor first if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding. Aromatase inhibitors are likely to cause interference with fetal development. In addition patients also have to control births with several choices such as using a condom, diaphragm with spermicide, or I.U.D. Also consult with the doctor which type is suitable for you and when the family planning device should be used if the aromatase inhibitor treatment is complete.
