Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer

Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) do a great job treating Breast Cancers which are Estrogen dependent.  The AI wipe out all Estrogen thereby depriving the breast cancer of a needed stimulus.

Unfortunately, Aromatase Inhibitor treatment will also do considerable damage to your bones unless you take medication to protect your bones.  The good news is that we have medication which can completely offset the harm AI treatment could do to your bones.  But, you have to take it, and the sooner you start, the better.

Prolia (Denosumab for Osteoporosis) is specifically approved by the FDA for use in patients using Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) for their breast cancer.  Prolia is specifically for women without metastases.  Prolia can delay and/or prevent matastases when given early.  Xgeva (Denosumab for Cancer) is used if metastases are already present.

Aromatases Inhibitors completely block Estrogen.  This deprives breast cancer cells of needed stimulation.  This also removes the natural control by Estrgen of the OsteoClast cells that gobble up your bone.  Osteoclasts Gone Wild results in rapid loss of bone and Fractures.  But we can stop that.

Prolia mimics the natural control of OsteoClasts by Estrogen.  It blocks RANK-Ligand, just like Osteoprotegrin (OPG) does.  Prolia offsets the harm Aromatase Inhibitors can do to your bones.  We discussed Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) earlier, which is the same problem and solution.  We can decrease Fracture Risk while the breast or prostate cancer is treated.

You can preserve your bone while treating your cancer.  Get a Complete Bone Health Evaluation, then do it.

Jay Ginther, MD

Categorised in: Medications, Osteoporosis