title: Goserelin ('Zoladex')--offering patients more choice in early breast cancer.
abstract: The luteinising hormone-releasing hormone analogue goserelin ('Zoladex') suppresses ovarian oestrogen production in pre- and perimenopausal women. Goserelin is a biodegradable, sustained-release 3.6 mg depot that is administered by subcutaneous injection every 28 days. Clinical trials in premenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer have demonstrated that goserelin alone, or in combination with tamoxifen, is at least as effective as cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy. Goserelin plus tamoxifen after cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) chemotherapy resulted in improved disease-free survival compared with CAF alone. These trials have also shown that goserelin is well tolerated and is associated with less acute toxicity than cytotoxic chemotherapy. Early improvements in quality of life over the first 3-6 months of goserelin treatment support the use of this agent as an alternative to chemotherapy in this patient population. Patients should be provided with information on the benefits and risks associated with available treatment options so that they can be involved in the decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. helen.mitchell@christie-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017697:Premenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017273:Goserelin