It is being hailed as the biggest step forward in the treatment of breast cancer in years. An anti-estrogen drug named Femara (letrozole) has been discovered to reduce the risk of recurrences in post-menopausal women who have been cured for early-stage hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Leaders of an international clinical trial called off the examination when analysts discovered a big distinction in responses between the two 'arms' of the study. The women who were already on Femara were recommended to maintain taking the drug, while those who had been provided an inert placebo were given the possibility to begin on Femara.
Femara® (letrozole tablets) is granted for the adjuvant (following surgery) treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early stage breast cancer. The advantages of Femara in clinical trials are established on 24 months of treatment. Added follow-up will be required to settle on long-term effects, protection and effectiveness.
Femara could be utilized to treat women with early breast cancer (cancer that hasn't spread) following they have had surgery to get rid of the cancer. Giving treatment subsequent to surgery is recognized as adjuvant therapy. It could be offered to women after end of five years of tamoxifen treatment as well.
At times Femara might be provided prior to surgery to women with localized early breast cancer, to let them to have a lumpectomy (taking away of the lump) rather than a mastectomy (removal of the breast). Presenting treatment before surgery is recognized as neo-adjuvant therapy.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), who recommend doctors on the prevention and treatment of ill-health, have made direction on the usage of aromatase inhibitors in early breast cancer. The principles at present advise that an aromatase inhibitor, like Femara, ought to be regarded as an adjuvant treatment for all women with early breast cancer. The alternative regarding which hormonal therapy to employ must be completed after discussion between the doctor and the patient, and ought to contain information regarding the potential risks and advantages of the treatment.
Some researchers said that the aromatase inhibitor letrozole (Femara) could put off late recurrence of breast cancer, even when patients begin on the drug long after ending adjuvant tamoxifen.
Paul E. Goss, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that rates of general and distant recurrence were more than halved in women who started letrozole up to seven years following finishing the standard five years of adjuvant tamoxifen compared with those receiving no active therapy.
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