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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2/2008

01-01-2008 | Review

Recognition and management of treatment-related side effects for breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy

Authors: David Cella, Lesley J. Fallowfield

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 2/2008

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Abstract

In postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer, the use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) to suppress estrogen is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with tamoxifen therapy. Women receiving such endocrine therapy may experience treatment-related side effects that negatively affect health-related quality of life (QoL) and adherence to therapy. In published clinical trials and in clinical practice, adverse events (AEs) constitute the main reason for nonadherence to endocrine treatment. Serious AEs are sometimes resolved by switching to a different agent, whereas other side effects can often be managed to allow patients to remain on therapy without sacrificing QoL. Across all adjuvant endocrine trials, regardless of the treatment received, vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes are the most common side effects. Other frequently reported side effects, such as vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and arthralgia, vary in prevalence between tamoxifen and AIs. Here we provide an overview of reported AEs of adjuvant endocrine therapy, focusing on those that are amenable to pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic management without treatment discontinuation. Also highlighted are specific management strategies that may improve patient QoL and thereby optimize adherence to therapy, which in turn might improve patient outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Recognition and management of treatment-related side effects for breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy
Authors
David Cella
Lesley J. Fallowfield
Publication date
01-01-2008
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 2/2008
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9548-1

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