Skip to content

When to switch from tamoxifen to AI?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from EFitzpatrick: Is there any firm data yet on the right time to switch from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor?
Answers —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: In patients who start with tamoxifen with the plan to switch, switching is usually done around two and a half years of being on tamoxifen. The bigger question some feel is whether people should start tamoxifen and switch, or start an aromatase inhibitor. There is an ongoing trial testing that approach which should shed some light. It should be noted that there is a subset of women where tamoxifen is probably the best choice and that is in a group of women who go into menopause after chemotherapy. These are women who were premenopausal, went into chemotherapy and then had the cessation of their period. Some of these patients over a length of time, a few months or longer, can have return of their periods. In those patients some feel that tamoxifen is a good choice as the initial hormonal treatment.
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: I've had quite a few patients go through what we think is menopause on chemotherapy. I put them on tamoxifen, they come off tamoxifen and they get their periods, indicating that they never really had the complete stopping of ovarian function. They had something called "chemopause."

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting. Nicholas Robert, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about recent advances in breast cancer treatment, updates on breast cancer genetics, information on diet and risk of recurrence, and more.

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Together we can make a difference

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2010 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.