Alternative therapy used as primary treatment for breast cancer negatively impacts outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has escalated over the past decade, despite the fact that clinical studies validating the efficacy of CAM remain sparse. Clinicians frequently encounter patients who reject standard treatment, but data on outcomes of patients choosing CAM as primary treatment for breast cancer are also lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast cancer patients who refused/delayed standard treatments in favor of alternative therapies were identified in a community surgical practice over a 10-year period. A retrospective chart review was performed with telephone interviews when possible. Estimated 10-year survival given recommended treatment was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients was identified; median age was 53. Median follow-up was 54 months. Patients were stratified into 2 subgroups: those who omitted/delayed surgery (SSG, n = 26) and those who were nonadherent to adjuvant therapy recommendations (ASG, n = 35). In the SSG, 96.2% experienced disease progression; 50% died of disease. Mean stage at initial presentation was II; mean stage at re-presentation after primary treatment with alternative therapies was IV. Disease progression occurred in 86.2% of those in the ASG; 20% died of disease. The mean 10-year survival calculated for those omitting surgery was 69.5%; observed survival for this group was 36.4% at a median follow-up of 33 months. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative therapies used as primary treatment for breast cancer are associated with disease progression and increased risk of recurrence and death. Diminished outcomes are more profound in those delaying/omitting surgery. Reviewing these results with our patients may help bridge the gap between CAM and standard treatments.

Side effects of aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen: the patients' perspective.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal therapy is a mainstay in the management of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Tamoxifen (TAM) has been the drug widely used until the recent emergence of the aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Although AIs appear to be better tolerated than tamoxifen, they do have a different safety profile and these side effects have not been well characterized in community practice. We surveyed patients with ER+ breast cancers who received adjuvant hormonal therapy to determine how these medications impacted their quality of life and whether side effects or cost influenced decisions to continue therapy. METHODS: A mailed questionnaire and community cancer registry were used. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-two of 902 surveys were returned for a 50% response rate. Eighty-two percent of respondents were placed on (adjuvant hormonal therapy) some form of estrogen-blocking therapy. Fifty-four percent of these were placed on tamoxifen and 46% on an AI. The most troublesome symptoms for tamoxifen and AI users, respectively, included hot flashes (35%/30%), weight gain (14%/15%), insomnia (17%/17%), and joint aches (12%/23%, P = .002). Thirty-nine percent of TAM users and 46% of AI users were taking medications to control their symptoms. Fifty percent of TAM users and 39% of AI users took vitamin E to help control hot flashes. Forty-two percent of TAM users versus 32% of AI users took Advil (Wyeth, Richmond, VA) for muscle/joint aches; 47.5% of AI users switched medication to improve symptoms as compared with only 37% of tamoxifen users (P = .015). The average cost of medications to control side effects for both tamoxifen and AI users was $67.36 per month. CONCLUSIONS: In our survey, both tamoxifen and AI users reported significant and different side effects. AI users suffered more frequently from musculoskeletal complaints, and more AI users switched therapy. Both AI and tamoxifen users used adjunctive medications for symptom control. In both groups, a large number used vitamin E to help hot flashes despite weak evidence to support its effectiveness in this setting. Cost of therapy and symptom control was not a major barrier to care.

Increasing incidence of bilateral mastectomies: the patient perspective.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have reported increasing rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPMs). Understanding patient rationale for the surgical choice may provide insight into this trend. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to 350 mastectomy patients identified from a community health system tumor registry. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty questionnaires were received; of these, 237 had undergone mastectomy. Fifty-two percent had unilateral mastectomy (UM), and 43% had bilateral mastectomies (BMs) (6% for bilateral disease). Women younger than 60 years of age were more likely to choose BM (P = .0046). Those who had CPM were significantly more likely to make the same surgical decision (P < .0001). Reconstruction was performed in 52%, with BM patients more likely to undergo reconstruction (P = .009). Twenty-three (19%) needed unanticipated reoperation for reconstruction complications. CPM had equivalent rates of unanticipated surgery versus UM (P = .64). CONCLUSIONS: Patients choosing BMs are younger, have equivalent rates of reoperation because of reconstruction complications, and are significantly more satisfied with their decision than those who chose UM.