title: A critical evaluation of the role of aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
abstract: The introduction of aromatase inhibitors (AI) has provided more options for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women; they are associated with improved disease-free survival, but less commonly with improvements in overall survival. Current evidence suggests that women at high risk of recurrence, especially those with node-positive disease, should receive an AI for 2 years as part of their treatment, but routine prescription of AIs to postmenopausal patients with low-risk disease is not appropriate. Not only the expected benefits but also the specific toxicity of the prescribed hormone therapy, and its cost, should be considered when selecting treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Paul Strauss Cancer Center, and University of Strasbourg, 3 rue de la Porte de l'Hôpital - BP42, F-67065 Strasbourg, France. tpetit@strasbourg.fnclcc.fr
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petit
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tannock
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors