Prescribed for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme produced primarily by the ovaries, as well as fat and muscle. It converts androgens to estrogens. By blocking the work of aromatase, It blocks the production of estrogen. Since some breast cancers require estrogen for growth, by lowering estrogen levels, the growth of the cancers is slowed or stopped.
The use of anastrozole for the treatment of breast cancer is increasing with more information on this drug. The more we understand this drug and the effects it has, the more we are able to discuss our treatment with our doctors.
What is Anastrozole?
Anastrozole is an oral medication that is used to treat some kinds of breast cancer. It is mostly prescribed for postmenopausal women, because in these women, the main site of estrogen production is through aromatase. This enzyme is produced by fat and muscle tissue. It’s by blocking aromatase, reduces the amount of estrogen in the body.
Unlike chemotherapy which affects all rapidly dividing cells in the body, It specifically affects estrogen production. Therefore, It is a more targeted therapy. However, the effect of anastrozole and other drugs of this class depends on the situation of the cancer and the patient as not every breast cancer is estrogen receptor positive.
What Is Anastrozole Used For?
1. Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Anastrozole reduces the chance of early-stage breast cancer returning. After initial treatment for early-stage breast cancer, there is the risk that the cancer may come back. Anastrozole can be used to treat this risk. Treatment may continue for 5 years or longer based on individual risk factors, side effects, and the physician’s recommendation.
2. Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer
Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer that is hormone sensitive and that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used to reduce the levels of estrogen and thus, slow the growth of the cancer.
3. Treatment After Tamoxifen
Some women that are postmenopausal may switch from Tamoxifen to Anastrozole based on their individual risk factors and the physician’s recommendation.
It is not effective in treating breast cancers that are not affected by estrogen. It should not be used in place of a professional cancer assessment or in treating all types of breast cancers.
How Does Anastrozole Work?
Since hormones affect the characteristics of breast cancer, medical professionals assess the cancer before recommending anastrozole. Medical professionals evaluate the hormone receptor test, which tells whether the cancer cells have hormone receptors and medical professionals also conduct the HER-2/neu test. Understanding these findings is essential for medical professionals to decide whether hormonal treatment will work for the cancer.
It should be taken once each day. It can be taken with or without meals. The doctor looks at the stage of the cancer. The doctor also looks at any treatments. The doctor considers how the body is reacting to the treatment. All of these factors help the doctor decide how long the medication will be given. The medication will be given for an amount of time. The time depends on the cancer stage. The time depends on treatments.
Anastrozole Dosage and Administration
It is important for the patient to take this medication as prescribed, and discuss any concerns with the healthcare provider. A missed dose should not be taken if it is almost time for the next dose.
Do not take this medication for body building or other reasons, as it can cause serious side effects.
Side Effects of Anastrozole
There are side effects associated with the use of anastrozole. These effects are due to reduced estrogen, which affects body tissues outside the breast.
Some of the side effects include:
- Hot flashes and sweating
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Weakness and fatigue
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Irritability and anxiety
- Vaginal dryness
Osteoporosis and fractures can occur with long term use of this medication. During treatment, there can be an increase in LDL and a decrease in HDL.
Our Anastrozole Tablets at Medspillz:
Precautions and Drug Interactions
Patients should inform their doctors of any medical conditions and the medications they take before starting treatment with it.
Because it has the potential to make bones weaker, your doctor may ask you to get a bone density test, and recommend you get adequate calcium and vitamin D in your diet and get adequate weight-bearing exercises.
Regarding your heart health, if you already have coronary heart disease, your doctor can help you decide the potential risks and benefits of it’s treatment.
this medication can potentially harm a developing fetus. It should not be used during pregnancy. If there is any potential for you to get pregnant, discuss reproductive planning with your health care professional.
Tamoxifen and other estrogen-containing medicines may have their effects reversed by it. When you begin it, let your doctor know about all of your other health care and medicinal plans.
Common Questions About Anastrozole
Is anastrozole a chemotherapy drug?
No, it is not. Anastrozole is a hormone therapy drug that is an aromatase inhibitor. Unlike traditional chemotherapy drugs, which target quickly dividing cells, it inhibits the production of estrogen.
How long do patients take anastrozole?
Patients usually take it for about five years for treatment of early-stage breast cancer. Tolerability and the risk of recurrence may impact the treatment length. The oncologist decides the treatment length.
Can anastrozole cure breast cancer?
Yes, anastrozole can treat certain types of breast cancers, it can not completely cure the cancer. For some women, taking it can lower the risk of breast cancer returning. There are other factors, such as the stage of the cancer and the type of tumor, that will determine the overall outcome of treating breast cancer with it .
Does anastrozole cause bone loss?
Yes. As it lowers the levels of estrogen in the body, it can speed up the process of losing bone mineral density. This increases the risk of fractures. There are ways to manage this risk during treatment, and your doctor will be able to talk to you more about managing this risk.
Conclusion
It is a type of hormone treatment that helps women who have gone through menopause and have hormone receptor- breast cancer. This treatment works by stopping the cancer from getting worse and lowering the chance that it comes back.
When the body has estrogen there can be some side effects. These might include pain in the joints and symptoms that happen during menopause. The drop, in estrogen also makes bones weaker which can make it easier to break a bone. It’s an idea to talk to your doctor about your particular situation. Your doctor can help you look at the benefits and risks of the treatment options that are available.