My sister has been diagnoised with hormone receptor positive breast cancer. They have found cancer cells in spine and lymph nodes. She has been given Femara to stop the cancer. How long will this take and how effective is this drug in ridding the body competely of cancer cells. She has been given a good prognoisis with this medication.
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with ExpertsSponsored Offer
- Resources
Q: For hormone receptor positive breast cancer ,how effective is Femara when cancer has spread?
Answers (2)
9/ 4/08 3:57pm
Hi there,
Every cancer is so different and each of us responds differently to treatment.
Femara, is an "aromatase inhibitor" - a relatively new category of drug used to treat hormone positive receptor. It is considered to be a very effective drug but it is impossible to say exactly how well or how quickly it will work for your sister. I am not a doctor but even if I were, it would be impossible to give you as exact an answer as we all would like to have.
I can tell you though, that it is very good news that your sister's doctor has given her a good prognosis and that hormone receptive cancers are, generally speaking, more responsive to treatment than those that are not.
Good luck to and your sister. I hope to hear good news from you in the near future.
Laurie
9/ 4/08 5:16pm
Hi - Femara keeps cancer cells from bonding with the estrogen they need to grow. Eventually, since they're unable to grow, they die. However, like any cancer drug, there's no guarantee it's 100% effective. Since it's a relatively new drug, there isn't any long-term information about effectiveness or side effects; right now, they're recommending women remain on it for at least 7 years, and possibly indefinitely, if it seems to continue to work. Good luck to both of you—I'm glad your sister has been given a good prognosis, that's very encouraging! - PJH
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
