Arimidex

Hi !
   In '03 I had BC and had two ops to remove lumps & infected tissue plus node removal.
Had chemo , rads and was put on Arimidex for the five years .
I had recon & reduction in '05 and have Lymphodema .
My question is in Jan '09 my five years are up with Arimidex . Have you any idea what I may be given to replace it ?
I am stage 3 HER pos

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Giving either 3 years of Arimidex (Anastrozole) or 5 years of Letrozole (Femara) AFTER 5 years of taking Tamoxifen has been proven to have an added benefit in decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence.  However, there is no data at this time which suggests that taking aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex for more than 5 years has added benefit.  So to answer your question:  at this time, no additional hormonal treatment is recommended after 5 years of of Arimidex.  If the cancer recurs, then that is probably the time to give additional chemotherapy and hormonal treatment.

[Gadowo]

I also had BC in 2003 - stage IIIA, mastectomy, chemo and rads. Only difference is I am Her negative. My 5 years on Arimidex are also up in January. When I saw my onc recently she said there is no study on longer use, but we mutually agreed that I could try longer and she would monitor me. My osteoporosis is stable (actually improved on FosamaxD), so my main side effects have been achy joints which are manageable. I think I feel a little more "secure" continuing for a while - unless my side effects get worse!