Management of Adverse Effects of Endocrine Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Approaches

Objective: Over 70% of breast cancers are hormone receptor positive and endocrine therapy (i.e., aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen) is considered standard of care. Side effects from endocrine therapy can be significant for patients leading to early treatment discontinuation. As adjuvant endocrine therapy is typically recommended for 5–10 years, proactively addressing adverse effects is important to facilitate patient compliance. This review addresses the common adverse effects of adjuvant endocrine therapy in early-stage breast cancer and approaches to management including both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Conclusion: There are multiple pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies available to alleviate side effects from endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor positive early stage breast cancer. Non-pharmacologic management strategies may be underutilized and should be considered early in the management of endocrine therapy adverse effects.

Duke Scholars

Author Susan Faye Dent Medicine, Medical Oncology