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Sunday, August 15, 2010 David Michael asks

Q: Tamoxifen resistance in stage iv ER +, PR+ hrec2/neu - metastatic breast cancer

My wife was diagnosed 6 weeks ago with IDC, grade 3 tumor and plural lung mets ( no other mets ). She is 33 and no family history of cancer. She does NOT have the brca gene either. She was given tamoxifen and zoladex given the high ER + sensitivity of her tumors and PR + and hrec2/neu -. In 4 weeks she already showed a regression in tumor size ( breast) and arrested the progression of lung mets ( no more cough). My concern is tamoxifen resistance over time.

 

When does Tamoxifen become resistant in women that respond quickly and strongly to the medication ?

 

How well/long do AI's work after tamoxifen becomes resistant ?

 

What about any trials or herbal supplemants like feverfew for fighting the resistance.

 

 

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Answers (1)
Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide
8/15/10 5:57pm

Although Tamoxifen resistance does develop in a significant number of women, it does not appear to happen to most women.  As with anything statistical, there is no way to know whether your wife will conform to the majority or set her own pattern.  Because the medicine is working for now, that is what you need to focus on.  Her doctor may be able to make some guesses about how long the Tamoxifen will work, but they will be guesses.  

Do not use any herbal treatments without discussing them with the doctor because some herbs and supplements that might be perfectly safe and even helpful in healthy people can interfere with cancer treatments.

I hope that she gets a long run of success with Tamoxifen.  Many cancer drugs do eventually lose their effectiveness, but when they do, doctors usually have other tricks to try.  The AI's have been very successful, so those may be the next step.

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By David Michael— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 08/15/10