Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: An Overview
Breast cancer research suggests that even if a lump is small, cancer cells may have spread outside the breast. Chemotherapy refers to drugs that travel throughout the body to slow the growth of these cancer cells or kill them if possible. Often, the drugs are injected into the bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) needle that is inserted into a vein. Some chemotherapy drugs are given as pills.
What Is Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer?
Researchers have been studying breast cancer for many years to learn how best to treat this disease. They have given special attention to ways to prevent breast cancer from recurring (returning) after primary treatment.
Scientists once thought that breast cancer metastasizes (spreads) first to nearby tissue and then to underarm lymph nodes before spreading to other parts of the body. They now believe that cancer cells may break away from the primary tumor in the breast and begin to metastasize even when the disease is in an early stage.
Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is treatment given in addition to the primary therapy (surgery and radiation) to kill any cancer cells that may have spread, even if the spread cannot be detected by radiologic or laboratory tests. Studies have shown that such treatment may increase the chance of long-term survival by preventing a recurrence.
Types of Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
Arimidex (Generic name: Anastrozole) has been approved as a first-line chemotherapy drug to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is used in both adjuvant therapy (i.e. following surgery) and in metastatic breast cancer. Arimidex is an effective hormonal treatment used for all forms and stages of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI) that works by lowering estrogen hormone levels to help shrink tumors and slow their growth. Take Arimidex exactly as it was prescribed for you.
Hormone therapy
Drugs in this category are sex hormones, or hormone-like drugs, that alter the action or production of female or male hormones. They are used to slow the growth of breast, prostate, and endometrial (uterine) cancers, which normally grow in response to natural hormones in the body. These cancer treatment hormones do not work in the same ways as standard chemotherapy drugs, but rather by preventing the cancer cell from using the hormone it needs to grow, or by preventing the body from making the hormones.
Examples include:
The anti-estrogens -- fulvestrant (Faslodex®), tamoxifen, and toremifene (Fareston®)
Aromatase inhibitors -- anastrozole (Arimidex®), exemestane (Aromasin®), and letrozole (Femara®)
How Anastroloze Works:
Hormones are chemical substances that are produced by glands in the body, which enter the bloodstream and cause effects in other tissues. The use of hormone therapy to treat cancer is based on the observation that receptors for specific hormones that are needed for cell growth are on the surface of some tumor cells. Hormone therapies work by stopping the production of a certain hormone, blocking hormone receptors, or substituting chemically similar agents for the active hormone, which cannot be used by the tumor cell. The different types of hormone therapies are categorized by their function and/or the type of hormone that is effected.
Anastozole is an aromatase inhibitor. This means it blocks the enzyme aromatase (found in the body's muscle, skin, breast and fat), which is used to convert androgens (hormones produced by the adrenal glands) into estrogen. In the absence of estrogen, tumors dependent on this hormone for growth will shrink.
How do I say this name?
an-AS-troe-zole
How do I take this medicine?
Anastrozole is taken by mouth with or without food.
How do I store this medicine?
Store anastrozole tablets at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Are there any special things I should do while on this medicine?
Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist right away if you vomit within 1-2 hours of taking anastrozole.
What if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose right away if you skip or forget to take a dose of anastrozole. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose but return to your regular schedule. Do not increase your dose to make up for a missed dose.
What side effects are common with this medicine?
Hot flashes (sudden sweating or feelings of warmth)
Weakness and tiredness
Mental depression or mood swings
Headache or dizziness
Back pain, bone pain, or pelvic pain
Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Diarrhea or constipation
When should I call my doctor?
Call your doctor if you are worried about a side effect or have questions about your medical care.
Anastrozole might change how you think, feel, or act. Call your doctor if you or your family are worried about the way you are feeling or acting.
Call the doctor at once if you have any of these side effects:
Symptoms of allergic reactions :
Skin rash, hives, or itching
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or trouble breathing
Tightness of throat or chest
Flushing or redness of skin (especially the face or neck)
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Mental depression or mood swings
Symptoms of blood clots:
Sudden or severe headache
Sudden loss of coordination
Pain in chest, legs, or groin
Sudden slurring of speech
Sudden or unexplained shortness of breath
Sudden loss or change in vision
Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
Call the doctor as soon as you can if you have any of these side effects:
Increased tumor or bone pain
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
Increased or decreased menstrual bleeding
Irregular or missed menstrual periods
Symptoms of fluid retention:
Swelling of feet or lower legs
Rapid weight gain or bloating
Trouble breathing at rest
Swollen or bloated belly
Are there side effects from this medicine after I finish my chemotherapy?
Long-term therapy with anastrozole may increase the risk of getting endometrial cancer. It is important to get routine pelvic exams. Tell your doctor about any abnormal vaginal bleeding, change in vaginal discharge, or pelvic pain or pressure.
The adverse effects listed are important and common ones that patients might experience; every possible adverse effect is not included.
Last Reviewed: June 18, 2009
From the Cancer Chemotherapy Manual, © 2004-2007, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, Salt Lake City,UT. Published by Facts and Comparisons, St Louis, MO, www.drugfacts.com
If this list of side effects looks extensive and overwhelming, then I should tell you this is one of the SHORTER lists that I found! LOL
Of course, I AM NOT expecting ANY of these to occur, but it is better to have researched to see what MIGHT be around the corner, than get hit with something head on and not be prepared.
At least the medical system covered all their bases "just in case" and that's the way I look at this. BUT...should one, some or many occur, we'll see what I can live with and what begins to make me give up too much and go from there.
I am as positive about this as I can be. Now you know some of what I know. It's just another little ripple...Have a great week! ;-)
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