Efficacy and safety of aromatase inhibitors in early breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are surfacing as the standard adjuvant treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer over tamoxifen but their long-term effects are still under investigation.


OBJECTIVE
In the light of current information, what factors should health practitioners take into consideration when prescribing AIs to patients?


METHODS
Results of several randomized controlled adjuvant clinical trials were reviewed to assess the efficacy of treatment and their subprotocols focusing on quality of life and skeletal health to highlight the safety concerns.


CONCLUSIONS
To prevent early recurrences, AIs should be considered as the upfront hormonal treatment of choice. They are also recommended for use as a switching strategy after 2-3 years of tamoxifen and as extended adjuvant treatment after 5 years of tamoxifen. The adverse events experienced are manageable and overall quality of life is not compromised; however, bone density must be monitored for patients at risk and appropriate bone-protection supplements need to be taken.
Ozair
Sundus
S
York University, 1115 Glen Eden Court, Pickering, Toronto, ON L1V6N8, Canada.
Iqbal
Shabana
S