What is being suggested now?

teach6

I will be starting hormonal therapy soon and am a bit confused on the latest research for my situation. Premenopausal, 90% est/pro +, stage IIIa. Can you share your treatment plan and any information to help me understand the whys. So many options out there...

Thanks

barbe1958

The therapy is to block estrogen in your body. Your tumour was ER+ so they are trying to not let it happen again. If you still have your ovaries they may suggest a hysterectomy. Just sayin'.....

Welcome to the club no one wants to be in! you will probably go on Tamoxifen. Have they said?

ElaineTherese

Hi!

I was diagnosed at Stage IIIA at the age of 46. My cancer was 95% ER/PR+. I was premenopausal. Due to the SOFT study, which showed better outcomes for premenopausal women with ovarian suppression plus an aromatase inhibitor, I am currently doing Zoladex (ovarian suppression) plus aromasin (aromatase inhibitor). I could have my ovaries removed (it's an oopherectomy not a hysterectomy) and skip the Zoladex, but my OB/GYN is not a big fan of ovary removal. He says the studies show that women who keep their ovaries tend to live longer than those who have them removed.

So far, the Zoladex + aromasin haven't been too bad. (I've been on this regimen for over a year). At first, my hot flashes were fairly hot; now, they are just warm and infrequent. The aromasin made me moody, so I'm on Celexa and that's no longer a problem.

By the way, many premenopausal women continue to do Tamoxifen. In some cases, their doctors don't believe that the differences discovered in the SOFT study are that dramatic; in others, the patients experience fewer side effects on Tamoxifen than on an AI. Some doctors keep prescribing Tamoxifen because they've seen good results with it and see no reason to change.

Best wishes!

Goodie16

Elaine explained all of the options wonderfully.

For me, I was premenopausal at the time of DX (50) and my oncologist started me on Tamoxifen. I had a mastectomy and a low Oncotype score, so my oncologist chose Tamoxifen as my treatment following surgery. I discontinued it this past December when the SEs became too much to handle any longer. The joint/muscle pain was my chief issue.

In January I started on monthly injections of Lupron to shut my ovaries down. We discussed having an oopherectomy, but both my OB/GYN and oncologist believe that there's a benefit to women keeping their ovaries, if possible. Once the Lupron got my hormone levels to menopausal range I started on Arimidex (AI). So far so good on it. I do have hot flashes and I usually get a headache for a day or two after my Lupron injection but these side effects are very manageable for me.

7of9

Buyer beware: many people have good luck on tamoxifen but I was not one of them. I recurred on Tamoxifen ( I did not miss a SINGLE dose) so when I found my recurrence in axillary (10/14 nodes all in the axillary sac) 3 1/2 years later - I also had a complete hysterectomy done laparoscopically (it was a breeze - was back to work in 2 weeks, could have gone after one as good as I felt) as I figured 1. Ovaries make estrogen well into your fifties, even if it's not enough to stimulate a period 2. I had a friggin 5cm fibroid grow on tamoxifen (was not there in 2012 CT) 3. Breast cancer will go to ovaries or even uterus - less places to travel or develop issues BC issues or on their own 4. I exercise, don't smoke and eat pretty decent so I'm not worried about the effects on my heart at this time. 5. I was done having children 6. I wanted ovaries out the first time and was denied so I was mad!!!

I was 0 nodes with 2cm tumor first time around ER 95/95+ HR neg first time around 95/90 HR - second time around so it was the same crap, just hung around and started to grow again.

I started Arimidex and found the TEVA generic to do well for me and I took it at dinner. I took for about 8 weeks - right after surgery, through radiation, now I stopped for chemo and will restart 2 days after my last treatment.