Are aromatase inhibitors effective for men with breast cancer?
I am 42 year old man, with a recidive breast cancer in some lymph nodes. My doctor suggested switchingTamoxifen for Letrozol (Femara), an aromatase inhibitor. Does it work with men as effectively as for women?
Another doctor, which I consulted for second opinion, recommends that I take Zoladex in conjonction to Letrozol, in order to block all androgene production.... with all the side effects that this will cause.
Do you have any other recommendation?
Than you!
Hi - There are very few studies involving men on aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, simply because breast cancer is so rare in men, and aromatase inhibitors are still a very new treatment. That said, the few cases that have been studied seem to show that men respond to AIs as well as women do. As for Zoladex, it's a testosterone inhibitor, so the side effects would be those involved with low testosterone levels. I suspect these would be challenging for you; tough decision. I wish you luck - PJH
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