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What's next after radiation, Femara?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from ADJO: I have taken tamoxifen for five years after a radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. My cancer came back last year and I received radiation and now I am on Femara. My oncologist said that I could take this medication for three years. What is next as far as treatment goes?
Answer —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: I believe you should sit down and readdress the duration question with your oncologist. Femara is a very good drug after a five-year course of tamoxifen. The data that's available would suggest a five-year course of Femara after completion of a five-year course of tamoxifen. There is research ongoing to ask the question as to whether it might be better to take the Femara for ten years rather than five.

Women in the MA-17 study who received five years of tamoxifen followed by five years of Femara are now being randomized again to receive another five years of Femara or nothing [placebo]. Ultimately the study will help us determine the true duration of Femara after tamoxifen.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2005. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. brought you the highlights of the 2005 Breast Cancer Symposium and answered your questions about the latest diagnostic and treatment options for breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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