[Optimal adjuvant hormone therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive mammary carcinoma: tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole].
Postmenopausal patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer may be eligible for adjuvant hormone therapy. - For years, tamoxifen was the treatment of choice. - However, the side effects associated with tamoxifen, such as endometrial cancer and thromboembolic disorders, and the search for more effective agents have led to the introduction of new hormonal therapies. - The results of randomised trials with the third-generation aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole demonstrate improved efficacy compared to tamoxifen. - Using aromatase inhibitors, the disease-free survival is prolonged and recent data from some studies also show a benefit in overall survival. - Aromatase inhibitors are associated with specific side effects consisting of osteoporosis/increased incidence of fractures and myalgia/arthralgia.
van Nes
J G H
JG
Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden.
Seynaeve
C
C
van de Velde
C J H
CJ
Nortier
J W R
JW
D000077384:Anastrozole; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000730:Androstadienes; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000077384:Anastrozole; D000077289:Letrozole; C056516:exemestane