The use of aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer treatment and osteoporosis <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Objectives: Recently, aromatase inhibitors have become an alternative to tamoxifen for hormonal therapy of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors cause usually few side effects, but there are questions about their long term impact over bone loss and osteoporosis development. This review describes the relationship between estrogens and bone metabolism; pharmacologic and clinical data about main aromatase inhibitors and their impact on osteoporosis development and diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic methods for osteoporosis which must be employed in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors.
Data search: This review article was based in papers published last five years selected through a Medline search and in selected articles’ references.
Data synthesis: The treatment with aromatase inhibitors is related to an increased incidence of osteoporosis and fractures.
Conclusion: Diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic methods for osteoporosis must be early employed in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors.
KEY WORDS: BREAST NEOPLASMS; AROMATASE/ antagonists & inhibitors; OSTEOPOROSIS.