Hormone Therapy

Breast cancers can be sorted into groups based on hormone receptor types. Hormone receptors are proteins that dock to hormones and then initiate genetic activities such as gene transcription and cell growth

Common receptor categories include estrogen receptors, progesterone receptor and Her2Nu receptor. A given breast cancer may be positive or negative for these hormone receptors, or they may be present in various degrees.

Tamoxifen is the most commonlyused drug in hormone therapy. It is usually given for several years. Common side effects include hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods, and vaginal discharge. Less common side effects are depression, loss of appetite, eye problems, headache, and weight problems.

Lymph Node Negative Case

The strongest prognostic indicator is tumor diameter.

Tumors > 2 cm.

Same as lymph node positive.

Hormone senstive tumors-whether to use tamoxifen alone or with chemotherapy remains unsettled

Tumors < 2 cm

Treatment hotly debated

Not possible to make a conclusive recommendation for treatment at this time

Other prognotic factors of uncertain reliability such as percent S phase, and factors related to invasion such as cathespin D are being studied

Lymph Node Positive Case

Premenopausal
Chemotherapy
Tamoxifen
Oophorectomy or
(LHRH Agonist)
Receptor +
+
?
+
Receptor -
+
-
-
       
Postmenopausal      
Receptor +
?
+
-
Receptor -
+
?
-