Question about hormone blocking drug

[katarina777]

I restarted the Tamoxifen, and I cannot tolerate the Aromatose Inhibitors. So my oncologist says he wants to add another hormone blocking drug that is in a completely different family and it is injected. (I think he said the onset is a little slow and I think what he said started with a T, or maybe a P)

You guys have any ideas what this may be? Thanks, KATRIN  

[Joridie]

A related discussion, I had a Biopsy done on Friday was started.

[SueYoung55]

I think I would find the person who works the most with IBC and see if you can consult with them in person. I think it would help you with any decisions you have to make and it will also reassure you where you may need that too. You deserve the best out there!

[katarina777]

You are so great; it was the last one, the Faslodex he was talking about, I am sure. I just could not find this information myself. (my brain, you know??)

Thanks so much! Also about the info on hormonal and chemo.  I am estrogen receptor positive and should have never stopped the tamoxifen, and it was not my idea, believe me.

I am really hoping this will help and I also read that there is experimentation with use of high dose tamoxifen for brain mets.

I am also now really to get the best second opinion I can get and am working on this. There is a great cancer Institute in Seattle that works with local doctors.

My doctors just really know nothing about IBC!~

Thanks again so much and I am so glad I asked so I can study this more.

KAT

[SueYoung55]

Kat,

Here is some information for you... pick what you think it sounded like from here....

Introduction
Estrogen and progesterone are female hormones produced by ovaries. A breast cancer is said to be hormone receptor positive if shows evidence of estrogen or progesterone receptors (cell components that will bind to these female hormone molecules to bring about changes with in the cell). Laboratory tests are performed after surgery or biopsy to determine if the breast cancer cells are hormone receptor positive. Hormone receptor positive breast cancer is depended on estrogen hormone for multiplication and growth and it is rational to block the hormones on which the tumor cells are feeding. Contrary to many people’s belief; hormonal therapy is a more effective form of breast caner adjuvant therapy compared to chemotherapy. Most of the clinical trials have shown better results with hormonal agents compared to chemotherapy. If combined with chemotherapy, hormonal therapy would give even better results. There are several drugs available to block the hormones. We will briefly describe each of the most common hormone blocking drugs available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
      Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is a hormonal drug that blocks the estrogen to the tumor cells. It is in pill form and is taken daily by mouth. Use of tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy has shown to markedly decrease the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer. In the adjuvant setting it is usually giver for a period of 5 years....




Raloxifene: Raloxifene (Evista)
      This is a drug that acts just like tamoxifen, and blocks the effect of estrogen on breast tumor cells. At this time it is not proven to decrease the risk of breast cancer from coming back and should not be substituted for tamoxifen. Raloxifene is currently undergoing clinical trial to determine its efficiency in reducing risk of developing breast cancer.

Toremifene: Toremifene (Fareston)
      This is another hormonal agent that blocks the estrogen hormone. Its properties are similar to tamoxifen and effective in breast cancer treatment. This drug could be an alternative option for patients with metastatic breast cancer who are hormone receptor positive or have an unknown hormonal status.

Fulvestrant: Fulvestrant (Faslodex)
      FDA has recently approved this drug for use in patients with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. In contrast to tamoxifen, which blocks the estrogen receptors, fulvestrant destroys the estrogen receptors on the tumor cells. Breast cancer patients who had progression of disease    on previous hormonal agents like tamoxifen may respond to fulvestrant. Unlike tamoxifen this drug is given as an intravenous injection and is given once in 4 weeks. Like tamoxifen, fulvestrant may also cause hot flashes. Mild nausea, and fatigue are other major side effects of this drug.