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

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 14:44 authored by D. Cella, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield
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.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

ISSN

0167-6806

Issue

2

Volume

107

Page range

167-80

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Notes

Accepted: 12 February 2007 Published On Line: 18 September 2007 Published in Journal 2008 107: 167-180

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2008-07-30

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