Aromasin Hormone Cancer Therapy

Aromasin is a steroid that lowers the risk of recurring breast cancer and increases the chance of survival. It restrains estrogen levels by inhibiting aromatase located in fatty tissues like the breasts. Aromatase converts pre-estrogen into an active estrogen for women who have just undergone chemotherapy for breast cancer; aromasin combats this effect.

Uses

• Aromasin is used only in female breast cancer patients to decrease the level of estrogen production and thwart recurrence of breast cancer. There are very specific guidelines pertaining to who is able use this type of therapy. Many of these women have taken tamoxifen, which is an estrogen suppressor often prescribed to treat breast cancer. After having taken it for at least two to three years, they've found that it has not suspended the disease's spread. Aromasin is given to those who have advanced breast cancer, who are postmenopausal and who have completed primary treatment such as chemotherapy.

How It Works

• Tumors in the breast are nourished by estrogen. Aromasin is a prescription pill that arrests estrogen secretion and decreases hormone levels. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries in women whom are premenopausal, but for those who are now postmenopausal whose ovaries no longer turn it out it is made by the enzyme aromatase in the breast and fat tissues. Aromasin hinders aromatase production and therefore any breast cancer cells that remain in the system are less likely to grow without estrogen.

Side Effects

• Some common side effects of Aromasin include headaches, fatigue, sleeplessness, joint pain and increased sweating. Less than 5 percent of patients experienced osteoporosis, heart problems, chest pain and nausea. It should be noted that these effects are minimal compared to the benefits achieved with aromasin. The fact that present cancer cell growth is obstructed and that future risk of recurrence is diminished makes this form of hormone therapy more tolerable.