Extended adjuvant therapy with letrozole: reducing the risk of recurrence.
Patients with all stages of primary breast cancer are at continuing risk of relapse following 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy, even in the absence of lymph node involvement. Tamoxifen has been the standard therapy for reducing risk of recurrence, although more than 50% of relapses and deaths occur after completion of tamoxifen. Tamoxifen use is associated with an increased risk of serious side effects, and extended use beyond 5 years may have a negative impact on disease-free survival. Extended adjuvant letrozole therapy confers a significant benefit in relapse-free survival. The approval of letrozole for this indication in the USA and in many European countries introduces a new, safe and effective treatment for disease-free patients seeking to reduce their long-term risk of recurrence.
Dixon
J Michael
JM
Edinburgh Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. jmd@ed.ac.uk
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000077289:Letrozole