title: Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Erythrocytosis in a Patient Undergoing Hormonal Treatment for Breast Cancer.
abstract: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are most commonly used for breast cancer patients with hormone receptor positive disease. Although the side effect profile of aromatase inhibitors is well known, including common side effects like arthralgia, bone pain, arthritis, hot flashes, and more serious problems like osteoporosis, we present a case of an uncommon side effect of these medications. We report the case of a postmenopausal woman on adjuvant hormonal therapy with anastrozole after completing definitive therapy for stage IIIB estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, who was referred to hematology service for evaluation of persistent erythrocytosis. Primary and known secondary causes of polycythemia were ruled out. On further evaluation, we found that her erythrocytosis began after initiation of anastrozole and resolved after it was discontinued. We discuss the pathophysiology of aromatase inhibitor-induced erythrocytosis and reference of similar cases reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
authors.forename: Sri Lakshmi Hyndavi
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yeruva
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley Madu
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3075-7541
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nwabudike
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
authors.forename: Onyekachi Henry
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Ogbonna
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oneal