- Made available online as an Accepted Preprint 18 April 2011
A critical evaluation of the role of aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with breast cancer
- 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
1Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 2M9, Canada
- (Correspondence should be addressed to T Petit; Email: tpetit{at}strasbourg.fnclcc.fr)
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.
- Revision received 3 February 2011
- Accepted 18 April 2011
- © 2011 Society for Endocrinology
