Aromatase inhibitor agents in breast cancer: evolving practices in hormonal therapy treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of aromatase inhibitor agents with regard to current treatment strategies with hormonal therapy for women with breast cancer.


METHODS
Published articles and books.


RESULTS
Hormonal therapy is an essential component of the treatment of most women with breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitor agents are becoming an integral part of treatment for women with metastatic breast cancer and recently have become much more prominent in the treatment of women with early-stage breast cancer. The exact role of these agents in adjuvant therapy of breast cancer, either sequentially with the "gold standard" tamoxifen or for the duration of therapy, has yet to be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent studies with aromatase inhibitor agents are intriguing and suggest an improved side-effect profile and efficacy. The approval of these agents for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer has led to a significant change in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Breast cancer is an extremely common cancer in women, and oncology nurses take care of large numbers of patients with this disease. Oncology nurses need the most recent information so they can discuss aromatase inhibitor agents and therapy with their patients.
Viale
Pamela Hallquist
PH
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, USA. pamela.viale@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors