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Are There Any Long Term Side Effects Of Using Letrozole?
Question: I have been dx with stage III b.c. This is the third bc in 25 years. I am on letrozole 2.5mg/day. If tumors shrink, and after a mastectomy, the suggestion is I continue on letrolzole for the rest of my life ( I am 73). My concern is how can my body continue to function well as I age, if my estrogen is depleted.
Thank you,
XXXX
Thank you,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
lifelong may not be required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. Third breast cancer in lifetime is difficult.
If letrozole gives good response and mastectomy can remove all of it and there is no distant spread then 5 years of letrozole is enough. Provided at the end of 5 years there is no evidence of disease.
The effects of estrogen should be counterbalanced by measures to improve bone and cardiac health.
Hope this helps. I will be available for follow up.
Regards
lifelong may not be required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. Third breast cancer in lifetime is difficult.
If letrozole gives good response and mastectomy can remove all of it and there is no distant spread then 5 years of letrozole is enough. Provided at the end of 5 years there is no evidence of disease.
The effects of estrogen should be counterbalanced by measures to improve bone and cardiac health.
Hope this helps. I will be available for follow up.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX
The other part of my question is as I am postmenopausal, with ovaries no longer contributing estrogen, and the AI shutting off production in the breast, are there other organs that continue to produce it? I am also concerned about my bones and cardio effects, although I am a very active and strong woman. In five years, however, I may need some estrogen.
The other part of my question is as I am postmenopausal, with ovaries no longer contributing estrogen, and the AI shutting off production in the breast, are there other organs that continue to produce it? I am also concerned about my bones and cardio effects, although I am a very active and strong woman. In five years, however, I may need some estrogen.
Brief Answer:
But 5 years is must from breast cancer point of view
Detailed Answer:
AI shuts off production of estrogen from all non-ovarian tissues (mostly fatty tissue), not only the breast. As a net result body estrogen goes further down and the breast cancer lose their stimulus to grow (assuming it is ER positive). So suppressing aromatase is a must in postmenopausal ER+ breast cancer.
Whatever deleterious effect it may have on bone and heart has to be monitored regularly with bone density scans, lipid profile, ECG/ECHO and take appropriate steps to counter those. Calcium supplements, lipid lowering agents, Vitamin D, aspirin, etc can help. But not estrogen supplements as in hormone replacement therapy.
But 5 years is must from breast cancer point of view
Detailed Answer:
AI shuts off production of estrogen from all non-ovarian tissues (mostly fatty tissue), not only the breast. As a net result body estrogen goes further down and the breast cancer lose their stimulus to grow (assuming it is ER positive). So suppressing aromatase is a must in postmenopausal ER+ breast cancer.
Whatever deleterious effect it may have on bone and heart has to be monitored regularly with bone density scans, lipid profile, ECG/ECHO and take appropriate steps to counter those. Calcium supplements, lipid lowering agents, Vitamin D, aspirin, etc can help. But not estrogen supplements as in hormone replacement therapy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much. That is very helpful info.
XXXX
XXXX
Brief Answer:
you are welcome
Detailed Answer:
regards
you are welcome
Detailed Answer:
regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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