[Ovarian suppression in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer: GnRh analogs, ovariectomy or radio-castration--"the philosopher's stone" instead of "chamber of horrors"].
BACKGROUND
Ovarian suppression in the adjuvant treatment of perimenopausal women with breast cancer is an important option. The therapeutic goal can be accomplished by administration of GnRH-analogues, ovarectomy or radiocastration.


METHODS
We describe the advantages and the therapy related side effects and compare the different treatment modalities with each other.


RESULTS
Because of its reversibility and patient's compliance GnRH-analogues seem to be advantageous especially in younger premenopausal women. When longer term side effects of artificially induced menopause are less important, therapeutic alternatives such as radiocastration or ovarectomy are effective without obvious superiority between these options.


CONCLUSIONS
Even in the background of the increasing use of GnRH-analogues radiocastration remains still a therapeutic alternative because of its cost-effectiveness and feasibility. This accounts especially for peri- or premenopausal women above the age of 45.
Hoffmann
Wolfgang
W
Klinik für Radioonkologie und Strahlentherapie, Städt, Klinikum Braunschweig. w.hoffmann@klinikum-braunschweig.de
Schiebe
Martina
M
Seegenschmiedt
Heinrich
H
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017273:Goserelin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000191:economics; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen; D017273:Goserelin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone