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Breast Cancer Treatments Often Lead to Joint Pain as a Notable Side Effect

Postmenopausal women experiencing a decrease in breast cancer recurrence risk due to Aromatase inhibitors face a common side effect: joint pain, which leads some to discontinue treatment prematurely. длябольше информации.

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In postmenopausal females, aromatase inhibitors lower the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence;...
In postmenopausal females, aromatase inhibitors lower the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence; however, many women discontinue the treatment due to the frequent side effect of joint pain. Further insights here.

Breast Cancer Treatments Often Lead to Joint Pain as a Notable Side Effect

Joint Pain in Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer: A Hidden Side Effect of Hormone Therapy

Breast cancer is often associated with joint pain, but this symptom can also stem from an unexpected source: hormone therapy drugs. Aromatase inhibitors, such as letrozole (Femara), anastrozole (Arimidex), and exemestane (Aromasin), are standard treatments for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. While these drugs are effective in preventing cancer recurrence, they can cause joint pain, which can limit their usefulness for some patients.

"Joint pain is a frequent side effect of aromatase inhibitors," explains oncologist Susan LeGrand, MD. "But the goal is to make it manageable."

Ridding the body of estrogen can help prevent cancer growth in hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. After menopause, women's ovaries no longer produce estrogen, but an enzyme called aromatase converts hormones produced in the adrenal gland into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors block the action of aromatase, leading to less estrogen in the body.

While aromatase inhibitors are useful, they have potential side effects, with studies indicating that anywhere from 25% to 50% of women who take the drugs experience joint pain or muscle pain. Joint symptoms can affect the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles, making it a concern for those using it for prevention.

"It's problematic because you don't want to mess up their quality of life," Dr. LeGrand points out. Some women stop taking the drug before the full recommended duration due to joint discomfort.

If you're taking aromatase inhibitors and experiencing joint pain, it's crucial to discuss this with your oncologist. Joint pain is typically treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve®). In severe cases, your oncologist may switch to a different aromatase inhibitor that is better tolerated.

Current research suggests that lifestyle modifications, such as low-impact exercise and physical therapy, as well as emerging investigational treatments, may provide added benefits in managing joint pain. Ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential, as estrogen depletion increases the risk of bone loss.

Arthritis is an irreversible condition, but joint pain from aromatase inhibitors will subside once the medication is stopped. To reap the full benefits of aromatase inhibitor therapy, follow your doctor's prescription diligently.

[1] Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Arthritis. Cleveland Clinic Arthritis Advisor. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17466-arthritis[2] Anton-Culver H, Buzdar AU, Wakely MI, et al. Breast Cancer Prevention Network. Presentation of the STarT Consortium research plan for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia management: developing evidence-based clinical guidelines for supportive care. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2017 Jul 1;35(19):2326-2332. doi:10.1200/JCO.2017.73.0064[3] Anton-Culver H, Somerville A, Wakely M, et al. STarT Consortium: an international collaboration focused on developing evidence-based clinical guidelines for the management of aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIA). Cancer. 2016 May 1;122(9):1399-406. doi: 10.1002/cncr.30022[4] American Cancer Society. (2018). Breast cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html[5] Krishnan A, Dowling J, Ellis P, et al. Open-label therapeutic trial of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia: the RESPONSE trial. European Journal of Cancer. 2016 Aug 1;58:29-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.02.068. Epub 2016 Mar 7.

  1. "postmenopausal women undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer may experience joint pain as a side effect"
  2. "it's essential for women taking aromatase inhibitors to discuss any joint pain with their oncologist for effective management"
  3. "in severe cases of joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, oncologists may consider switching to a different aromatase inhibitor or exploring emergent investigational treatments"
  4. "regular low-impact exercise, physical therapy, and maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D intake may help manage joint pain in women undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy for womens' health issues such as breast cancer and chronic diseases".

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