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Side effects of aromatase inhibitors?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from CPNR: I would like to know more about taking aromatase inhibitors instead of tamoxifen after surgery and radiation treatment. How long have they been in use? What are the short and long-term side effects? Have they been approved in South America? The doctor suggested tamoxifen but the patient is looking for another drug with fewer side effects.
Answer —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: They've been in use for many years. Short-term side effects are potential hot flashes and joint pain and muscle aches. In postmenopausal women, in my mind clearly the aromatase inhibitors present an option to tamoxifen especially when there's a concern about blood clots and to a lesser extent concern about uterine cancer, both of which are associated with tamoxifen, although rare.

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.

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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.

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