The influence of endocrine treatments for breast cancer on health-related quality of life

• Published in: Cancer treatment reviews Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 640 - 655
• Main Authors: Buijs, Ciska, de Vries, Elisabeth G.E, Mourits, Marian J.E, Willemse, Pax H.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use; Aromatase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Aromatase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - mortality; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Estradiol - adverse effects; Estradiol - analogs & derivatives; Estradiol - therapeutic use; Female; Health-related quality of life; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Hormonal therapies; Humans; Mastectomy - methods; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - drug therapy; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - mortality; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent - pathology; Postmenopause; Premenopause; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Survival Analysis; Tamoxifen - adverse effects; Tamoxifen - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome; Health-related quality of life; Hormonal therapies; Breast cancer
• ISSN: 0305-7372; 1532-1967
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.04.001

Summary Many hormonal modalities are available for breast cancer treatment, such as selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors, progestins and luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists. The long-term impact of these endocrine manipulations is an issue, because the duration of adjuvant treatment is still increasing, as is the number of breast cancer survivors. Premature menopause is induced at a young age, and may often be permanent after chemotherapy. The purpose of this review is to provide a literature-based overview of the side effects of endocrine treatment in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients and the influence on HRQoL, especially on sexual functioning. The collection of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data can result in better treatment recommendations during endocrine therapy. Methods This review was limited to prospective randomised studies in English literature from between 1977 and 2007 and provides an overview of the effects on HRQoL and sexuality of various hormonal treatment in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients, both in the adjuvant and palliative setting. Relevant clinical studies were identified by using the Medline database. Results HRQoL mostly is severely influenced by chemotherapy and part of these symptoms may be lasting, especially when associated with the induction of premature menopause. Similar symptoms may be encountered during ovarian suppression therapy by LHRH analogs, but they will usually prove to be reversible. The varying side effect profiles of tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors did not lead to significant difference in overall HRQoL. HRQoL during progestins and the SERM fulvestrant has been compared to this during aromatase inhibitors, and a large number of studies on HRQoL during endocrine therapy will be discussed.