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Joint symptoms: a practical problem of anastrozole
Tomofumi Ohsako1, Katsuhiko Inoue2, Norihide Nagamoto2
1Department of Surgery, Japan Labour Health and Welfare Organization Kumamoto Rosai Hospital, Japan. geka-ohsako@kumamotoh.rofuku.go.jp.
Breast Cancer (Tokyo, Japan)
|August 25, 2006
Summary
Anastrozole can cause joint stiffness in breast cancer patients. Managing low-grade symptoms allows continued anastrozole treatment, preserving its benefits while monitoring toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Anastrozole and tamoxifen are breast cancer therapies with mild toxicity.
- Increased joint symptoms, particularly digital stiffness, were observed in anastrozole-treated patients.
- Previous studies noted musculoskeletal disorders but lacked detailed joint symptom descriptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and grade of joint symptoms in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with anastrozole.
- To investigate patient characteristics associated with anastrozole-induced joint symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 53 postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer received anastrozole.
- Joint symptoms were assessed via patient interviews, with incidence and grade classified.
- Patient characteristics and prior treatments were analyzed for correlation with joint symptoms.
Main Results:
- 26% of patients (14/53) developed joint symptoms, primarily digital stiffness (13/14).
- Joint symptoms were more common in patients with prior chemotherapy history.
- Discontinuation of anastrozole led to symptom improvement in 7 patients.
Conclusions:
- Continued anastrozole treatment is recommended for low-grade joint symptoms to maintain therapeutic benefits.
- Patient awareness of anastrozole's potential toxicity, including joint symptoms, is crucial.
- Management strategies, including Chinese herbal medicine, may allow continued anastrozole use.
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