Development and psychometric evaluation of the adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs scale for breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant endocrine therapy has a vital role in reducing breast cancer mortality. The beliefs in adjuvant endocrine therapy is a very important factor in the medication adherence of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a standardized scale for assessment of adjuvant endocrine therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes of adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs, and to evaluate adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs scale psychometric properties. METHODS: A hybrid model was applied to identify the concept of adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs and measurement question were developed by the scale development process. Statistical analysis using validity analysis and Rasch analysis based on item response theory were performed. A total of 228 breast cancer survivors in South Korea participated in the study. RESULTS: The finally developed adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs scale consisted of 22 items. The items extracted by 4 factors explained 59.72% of the total variance. The model fit showed an acceptable level. The adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs scale was excellent in convergent and discriminant validity with reliability. CONCLUSION: This scale is expected to be practical and useful in identifying adjuvant endocrine therapy beliefs and developing intervention strategies to promote adjuvant endocrine therapy adherence. In addition, continuous education and support should be accompanied so that breast cancer survivors can maintain positive beliefs in adjuvant endocrine therapy adherence.

Real-world treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Aim: To characterize real-world patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and treating physicians and evaluate treatment trends and baseline concordance versus guidelines internationally. Materials & methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional data from the Ipsos Global Oncology Monitor database 2018-2020 were used for descriptive analysis of mHSPC patients, treating physicians and treatment utilization. Results: Among the 6198 mHSPC patients from five countries, the most common treatment was either androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy or first-generation androgen receptor inhibitor + ADT. Second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor use was only initiating but increasing over the study period. Conclusion: Despite contemporaneous guidelines recommending treatment intensification of ADT in combination with novel antihormonals or docetaxel, 76.1% of reported mHSPC patients received non-guideline-concordant care.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) refers to the stage of prostate cancer where it has spread to other parts of the body ('metastatic') but still responds to hormonal therapy ('hormone-sensitive'), such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Treatment guidelines around the world for men with mHSPC have changed over time, but there remains a lack of understanding of how well guidelines are followed in real-world practice. Consequently, this study analyzes real-world data from five countries between 2018 and 2020 to understand treatment patterns, baseline concordance versus guidelines and potential drivers of treatment trends. The study found prevalent use of ADT monotherapy and older antihormonal agents, and only marginal but increasing use of novel antihormonals in real-world practice. These practices deviate from guidelines from the study period, which generally recommended ADT combination with either newer antihormonal agents or docetaxel for patients with mHSPC. Overall, the proportion of the 6198 patients treated with non­guideline-concordant therapies was 76.1%. Since guideline-recommended care is associated with better outcomes, this baselining finding highlights the need for appropriate treatment selection and intensification for mHSPC patients.

Real-World Evidence on the Use of Endocrine Therapy for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in Patients Treated With Breast-Conserving Surgery Followed by Postoperative Radiation Therapy: A Brazilian Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the reproducibility of findings from randomized controlled trials regarding adjuvant hormone therapy (HT) for breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in a real-life scenario. MATERIALS/METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo database. It included DCIS patients DCIS who received breast-conserving surgery and postoperative radiation therapy. The endpoints were local control (LC), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: We analyzed 2192 patients treated between 2000 and 2020. The median FU was 48.99 months. Most patients (53.33%; n = 1169) received adjuvant HT. Patients not receiving adjuvant HT tend to be older (P = .021) and have a lower educational level (P < .001). At the end of FU, 1.5% of patients had local recurrence, and there was no significant difference between groups (P = .19). The 10-year OS and BCSS were 89.4% and 97.5% for adjuvant HT versus 91.5% and 98.5% for no adjuvant HT, respectively, and there were no significant differences between groups. The 10-year OS was 93.25% for medium/high education level versus 87.31% for low (HR for death 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.83; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of adjuvant HT for DCIS were not reproduced in a Brazilian cohort. Education significantly impacted survival and HT usage, reflecting the influence of socioeconomic factors. These findings can allow for more precise interventions.

Real-World Practice Patterns and Predictors of Continuous versus Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy Use for Prostate Cancer in Older Men.

PURPOSE: Phase-III randomized control trial evidence suggests intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) is not significantly inferior to continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for patients with prostate cancer (PC). However, clinical practice and guidelines differ in their recommendations. We evaluate real-world utilization and practice patterns of IADT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ontario men ≥65 years of age with PC who initiated ADT for ≥3 months were identified (1997-2017). Lapses in ADT ≥6 months (initial gap) and ≥3 months (subsequent gaps) were used to classify IADT. Neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy was excluded. Disease stage adjustment was completed for patients with likely metastatic disease based on de novo presentation with ADT. Patient and physician predictors of IADT were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 8,544 patients with 1,715 having previously received local therapy. Among all patients, 16.4% received IADT. This ranged from 11.4%-24.8% across health-planning regions and increased to 26.6% in those with previous local therapy. Mean followup was 8.3 years. Patients with prior local therapy (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.59-2.17, p <0.001) and those in the highest income quintile (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08-1.60, p=0.005) had increased odds of receiving IADT. Radiation oncologists were more likely to use IADT than urologists (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.59-2.50, p <0.001), as were physicians with more experience (≥10 years in practice: OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11-1.88, p=0.007). In specialty-stratified analyses, case volume was significantly associated with IADT for radiation oncologists (highest quartile: OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.14-2.62, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: IADT remains underutilized for patients with PC who ≥65 years of age with only 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 eligible patients receiving this form of care. Clinical, sociodemographic and physician characteristics play an important role in treatment selection.

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature using grounded theory.

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have examined non-adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women recovering from breast cancer, but none provides a comprehensive theory to explain the challenges of long-term medication taking and resilience needed to continue. The aim of this study was to source, appraise, and synthesize data from existing qualitative studies to develop an in-depth explanatory model of non-adherence and discontinuation of hormonal medication among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: A comprehensive search of databases and the literature identified 24 eligible qualitative studies published 2010-2019. Quotations (n = 801) listed within these papers and the original author interpretations were synthesized using NVivo, and grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: At the beginning, knowledge about adjuvant endocrine therapy, trust in doctors, and worries and expectations, mean agreeing to medication is the only viable option, akin to a Hobson's choice. Thereafter, women's ability to deal with medication side-effects, knowledge and support received affect their decision to continue, akin to a horned dilemma where giving up the medication risks cancer recurrence and continuing means reduced contentment. Women stopping medication altogether question treatment necessity, search for normalcy and prioritize quality of life. CONCLUSION: Shared experiences and understandings were uncovered by examining commonalities in existing publications. The core category explained the difficulties women face with the initial decision to accept long-term endocrine therapy and then the everyday challenges of continuing or deciding to stop treatment early. An educational tool to inform survivors and health professionals about these challenges could potentially improve women's experience on treatment and in turn their adherence.

Avaliação da adesão ao tratamento com Tamoxifeno por mulheres com câncer de mama / Tamoxifen treatment adherence assessment by women breast cancer / Evalución de adherencia al tratamento com Tamoxifeno em mujeres com cáncer de seno

Justificativa e objetivos: A terapia antineoplásica oral apresenta vantagens comparada a outras terapias para o tratamento do câncer, por ser administrada em domicílio, de forma simples e rápida, no entanto, essa terapia aumenta a responsabilidade do paciente em relação ao seu tratamento e a adesão é fundamental para a sua eficácia. Evidenciam-se poucos estudos referente ao acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico na terapia antineoplásica oral, nesses contexto, o presente estudo busca avaliar a adesão ao tratamento com tamoxifeno em mulheres com câncer de mama, antes e após acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico randomizado e quantitativo. A coleta de dados foi realizada durante seis meses. A randomização aleatória dividiu-se em Grupo Controle e Grupo Acompanhamento, sendo o acompanhamento subdividido: Antes e Após o Acompanhamento. O Grupo acompanhamento recebeu mensalmente intervenções farmacêuticas individuais. A adesão foi avaliada pelo Brief Medication Questionnair e Problemas Relacionados aos Medicamentos quanto Necessidade, Efetividade e Segurança. Resultados: Após acompanhamento farmacêutico observou-se diferença entre os grupos Grupo Acompanhamento e Grupo Controle quanto à prática de atividade física (p=0,043), adesão ao tratamento (p=0,006), redução de efeitos adversos (p=0,003) e doenças associadas (p=0,002). Os Problemas Relacionados a Medicamentos mais frequentes foram de segurança e adesão, para os quais foram realizadas 54 intervenções farmacêuticas. As reações adversas descritas pelas pacientes acometiam principalmente sistema genital e trato gastrintestinal. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que o acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico contribuiu efetivamente na adesão ao tratamento com tamoxifeno e as intervenções farmacêuticas realizadas contribuíram para prevenção e redução dos problemas associados a farmacoterapia.(AU)

Background and objectives: Oral antineoplastic therapy has advantages compared to other therapies for the treatment of cancer, because it is administered at home, in a simple and fast, however, this therapy increases the responsibility of the patient regarding its treatment and adherence is critical to its effectiveness. There are few studies on pharmacotherapeutic monitoring in oral antineoplastic therapy. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate to adherence with tamoxifen in women with breast cancer, before and after of pharmaceutical care. Methods: It is a randomized and quantitative clinical study. Data collection was performed during six months. Random randomization was divided into Control Group and Monitoring Group. The follow-up was subdivided: Before and After Monitoring. The Monitoring Group received monthly individual pharmaceutical interventions. Adherence was assessed by the Brief Medication Questionnaire and Drug Related Problems as Need, Effectiveness, and Safety. Results: There was a significant difference between the follow-up group and control group regarding physical activity (p = 0.043), adherence to treatment (p = 0.006), reduction of adverse effects (p = 0.003) and associated diseases (p = 0.002). The most frequent drug-related problems were safety and adherence, for which 54 pharmaceutical interventions were performed. The adverse reactions described by the patients mainly affected the genital system and the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion: It was evidence the pharmaceutical care effectively contributed to the adherence to tamoxifen treatment and the performed pharmaceutical interventions contributed to the prevention and reduction of the problems associated with phamacoterapy.(AU)

Justificación y objetivo: La terapia antineoplásica oral presenta ventajas comparadas a otras terapias para el tratamiento del cáncer, por ser administrada a domicilio, de forma simple y rápida, sin embargo, esta terapia aumenta la responsabilidad del paciente en relación a su tratamiento y la adhesión es fundamental para su eficacia. Se evidencian pocos estudios referentes al seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en la terapia antineoplásica oral, en ese contexto, el presente estudio busca evaluar la adhesión al tratamiento con tamoxifeno en mujeres con cáncer de mama, antes y después de seguimento farmacoterapéutico. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio clínico aleatorizado y cuantitativo. La recolección de datos se realizó durante seis meses. La aleatorización aleatoria se dividió en Grupo Control y Grupo Seguimiento, siendo el acompañamiento subdividido: Antes y Después del Acompañamiento. El Grupo de seguimiento recibió mensualmente intervenciones farmacéuticas individuales. La adhesión fue evaluada por el Brief Medication Questionnair y los problemas relacionados con los medicamentos como la necesidad, la eficacia y la seguridad. Resultados: Después del seguimiento farmacéutico se observó diferencia entre los grupos Grupo Acompañamiento y Grupo Control en cuanto a la práctica de actividad física (p = 0,043), adhesión al tratamiento (p = 0,006), reducción de efectos adversos (p = 0,003) y enfermidades asociadas (p = 0,003) p = 0,002). Los problemas relacionados con los medicamentos más frecuentes fueron de seguridad y adhesión, para los que se realizaron 54 intervenciones farmacéuticas. Las reacciones adversas descritas por las pacientes acometieron principalmente sistema genital y tracto gastrointestinal. Conclusión: Se evidenció que el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico contribuyó efectivamente a la adherencia al tratamiento con tamoxifeno y las intervenciones farmacéuticas realizadas contribuyeron a la prevención y reducción de los problemas asociados con la farmacoterapia.(AU)

Fatores associados à adesão e à persistência na hormonioterapia em mulheres com câncer de mama / Factors associated with adherence and persistence to hormonal therapy in women with breast cancer

RESUMO: Introdução: A hormonioterapia no câncer de mama é fundamental para a transição do tratamento ativo aos cuidados de sobrevivência, pois melhora significativamente os resultados de sobrevida em longo prazo, além de propiciar melhor qualidade de vida e reduzir os custos de hospitalização. Porém, para atingir resultados desejáveis, são importantes a adesão e a persistência no tratamento recomendado. Metodologia: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 182 mulheres em tratamento hormonal identificadas em unidade oncológica de alta complexidade da Região Sudeste do Brasil e acompanhadas até 2014. Foram realizadas análise bivariada, para investigar os fatores associados à adesão, e regressão multivariada de Cox, para identificar variáveis associadas à descontinuidade do tratamento ao longo do tempo. Resultados: A adesão geral foi de 85,2% e a persistência, de 45,4% após 5 anos. Não foi encontrada associação entre as variáveis independentes estudadas e a adesão. Mulheres com estadiamento avançado (hazard ratio - HR = 2,24; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 1,45 - 3,45), que não realizaram cirurgia (HR = 3,46; IC95% 2,00 - 5,97) e com 3 ou mais internações hospitalares (HR = 6,06; IC95% 2,53 - 14,54) exibiram maior risco de descontinuidade. Discussão: As variáveis associadas à persistência refletem a relação entre a maior gravidade da doença e a interrupção do tratamento hormonal adjuvante. Conclusão: Apesar da alta adesão, observa-se aumento progressivo do número de pacientes que não persistem no tratamento, devido a características relacionadas à gravidade da doença, contribuindo para uma resposta terapêutica inadequada.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Hormonal therapy in breast cancer is essential to the transition from active treatment to care survival, because it improves long-term survival and provides a better quality of life. reducing hospital costs as well. However, adherence and persistence in the recommended treatment are important to achieve the desirable results. Methodology: This is a cohort retrospective study of 182 women on hormonal treatment identified at a high complexity oncology unit, in the southeastern region of Brazil, and followed-up until 2014. We performed a bivariate analysis to analyze the factors associated with adherence and we conducted the multivariate Cox regression to identify variables associated with discontinuity of treatment over time. Results: Overall adherence was 85.2% and persistence was 45.4% at the end of 5 years. No association was found between the studied independent variables and adherence. Women with advanced stage (HR = 2.24; 95% confidence interval 1.45 - 3.45), who did not undergo surgery (HR = 3.46; 95%CI 2.00 - 5.97), and with three or more hospitalizations (HR = 6.06; 95%CI 2.53 - 14.54) exhibited increased risk of discontinuity. Discussion: The variables associated with persistence reflect the relation between the highest disease severity and the discontinuity of adjuvant hormonal treatment. Conclusion: Despite the high adherence level, there is a progressive increase in non-persistence among women on hormonal therapy, influenced by characteristics related to disease severity, which contributes to an inadequate therapeutic response.

Endocrine treatment-associated cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors: evidence from published studies.

Endocrine-based treatments are the mainstay of therapy for postmenopausal women with breast cancer; yet concern has been raised about potential adverse cognitive effects. We performed a systematic review of the published literature to evaluate whether endocrine-based treatments for breast cancer are associated with changes in cognitive domains and whether these effects are more pronounced with advanced age. An electronic database search was performed. Original investigations that examined the effects of endocrine treatment on cognitive function were identified. Data were abstracted and studies were assessed for risk of bias. A total of 21 unique studies (n = 2398) were identified. Ten were short-term (duration ≤ 2 years) and 11 were long-term (duration > 2 years). Nine (43 %) studies had a sample size ≤100 subjects; 9 (43 %) were longitudinal, with baseline measurement before treatment initiation. No studies were primary randomized clinical trials. While there was heterogeneity in the neuropsychological measures used, tests could be grouped into the cognitive domains that they assessed. Compared to breast cancer or healthy controls, endocrine therapy was associated with impaired performance on neuropsychological testing. No study explored the association between age and changes in cognitive performance. Overall, endocrine therapies were associated with greater cognitive deficits compared to surgical and healthy controls; yet, lack of randomized trial data and heterogeneity in design of many studies limited any definitive conclusions. Despite older women being at highest risk for the development of cognitive impairment, advanced age has not been adequately explored.

Racial differences in receipt of adjuvant hormonal therapy among Medicaid enrollees in South Carolina diagnosed with breast cancer.

Several factors contribute to the pervasive Black-White disparity in breast cancer mortality in the U.S., such as tumor biology, access to care, and treatments received including adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT), which significantly improves survival for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers (HR+). We analyzed South Carolina Central Cancer Registry-Medicaid linked data to determine if, in an equal access health care system, racial differences in the receipt of AHT exist. We evaluated 494 study-eligible, Black (n = 255) and White women (n = 269) who were under 65 years old and diagnosed with stages I-III, HR+ breast cancers between 2004 and 2007. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess receipt of ≥1 AHT prescriptions at any point in time following (ever-use) or within 12 months of (early-use) breast cancer diagnosis. Seventy-two percent of the participants were ever-users (70 % Black, 74 % White) and 68 % were early-users (65 % Black, 71 % White) of AHT. Neither ever-use (adjusted OR (AOR) = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.48-1.17) nor early-use (AOR = 0.70, 95 % CI 0.46-1.06) of AHT differed by race. However, receipt of other breast cancer-specific treatments was independently associated with ever-use and early-use of AHT [ever-use: receipt of surgery (AOR = 2.15, 95 % CI 1.35-3.44); chemotherapy (AOR = 1.97, 95 % CI 1.22-3.20); radiation (AOR = 2.33, 95 % CI 1.50-3.63); early-use: receipt of surgery (AOR = 2.03, 95 % CI 1.30-3.17); chemotherapy (AOR = 1.90, 95 % CI 1.20-3.03); radiation (AOR = 1.73, 95 % CI 1.14-2.63)]. No racial variations in use of AHT among women with HR+ breast cancers insured by Medicaid in South Carolina were identified, but overall rates of AHT use by these women is low. Strategies to improve overall use of AHT should include targeting breast cancer patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Epididymal Sparing Bilateral Simple Orchiectomy: Cost-Effectiveness and Aesthetic Preservation for Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In the last 2 decades medical androgen deprivation therapy has replaced surgical castration for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. We assessed costs and patient satisfaction associated with epididymal sparing bilateral simple orchiectomy in an underinsured, immigrant population. METHODS: We performed epididymal sparing bilateral simple orchiectomy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer between January 2003 and September 2014 at our institution. Procedures were performed in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia and later under conscious sedation. Associated material and facility costs were calculated and compared to costs of androgen deprivation therapy with leuprolide or degarelix. Medication costs were calculated using wholesale acquisition costs. Patient satisfaction and body image perception were evaluated using a survey questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 108 orchiectomies were performed in the operating room and 12 in the outpatient unit. The total cost of bilateral simple orchiectomy in the operating room was $4,118. By performing orchiectomy in the outpatient unit we reduced the cost to $2,101. The cost of orchiectomy in the operating room is the equivalent of 4 months of leuprolide and 7.8 months of degarelix. When performed in the outpatient clinic the cost of bilateral simple orchiectomy is equivalent to 2.1 months of leuprolide and 4 months of degarelix. Overall 95% of participants surveyed were pleased with the surgical results. CONCLUSIONS: The average life expectancy of men with metastatic prostate cancer is 30 months and, thus, a onetime surgical cost offers significant cost savings. Further cost reductions are achieved by performing bilateral simple orchiectomy in the outpatient setting. By sparing the epididymis, patients are left with a sense of testicular preservation. Epididymal sparing bilateral simple orchiectomy is a cost-effective and cosmetically acceptable method of androgen deprivation therapy for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Fatores associados à persistência à terapia hormonal em mulheres com câncer de mama / Factors associated to persistence with hormonal therapy in women with breast cancer

OBJETIVO Analisar os fatores associados à persistência à hormonioterapia para câncer de mama visando à melhoria da qualidade do cuidado prestado. MÉTODOS Estudo longitudinal a partir de dados secundários. Foi analisada uma coorte de 5.861 mulheres com câncer de mama registradas em diferentes bancos de dados do Instituto Nacional de Câncer e do Sistema Único de Saúde. Todas as pacientes foram tratadas nesse hospital, que dispensa a medicação gratuitamente, e o período de seguimento foi de janeiro de 2004 a outubro de 2010. Variáveis sociodemográficas, comportamentais, clínicas, de estilos de vida e de aspectos do serviço de saúde integraram-se à análise para testar associação com a persistência ao tratamento hormonal, pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e Riscos Proporcionais de Cox. RESULTADOS A persistência geral à hormonioterapia foi de 79,0% ao final do primeiro ano e 31,0% em cinco anos de tratamento. O risco de descontinuidade à hormonioterapia mostrou-se maior entre mulheres com idade inferior a 35 anos, com estadiamento mais grave (III e IV), usuárias de álcool, que realizaram quimioterapia, e para cada hospitalização, cada exame e cada mês, entre o diagnóstico e o início do tratamento adicional. Na direção oposta, o risco de descontinuidade mostrou-se menor entre as mulheres com nível médio e superior de escolaridade, com companheiro, com história familiar de câncer, submetidas à cirurgia e que tiveram consultas com mastologista e com oncologista clínico. CONCLUSÕES Das mulheres com câncer de mama, 69,0% não persistiram ao término de cinco anos do tratamento hormonal, aumentando o risco de uma resposta clínica inadequada. Os resultados mostram aspectos do cuidado que podem conduzir a melhores ...

OBJECTIVE To analyze factors associated with persistence to breast cancer hormone therapy in order to contribute to the quality of care improvement. METHODS Retrospective longitudinal study, based on secondary data. A cohort of 5,861 women with breast cancer registered in different datasets of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute and the Brazilian Unified Health System were analyzed. All women were treated at this hospital, which provides free medication, and the follow-up period was from January 2004 to October 2010. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical variables, as well as aspects of lifestyle and health care, were considered in the explanation of variations in the persistence to hormone therapy, applying the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS Overall persistence to hormone therapy was 79.0% at the end of the first year, and 31.0% in five years of treatment. The risk of discontinuing hormone therapy was higher among women under 35 years old, with more advanced disease (stages III and IV), alcohol drinkers, those undergoing chemotherapy, and for each additional hospitalization, exam performed, and month between diagnosis and beginning of treatment. In the opposite direction, the risk of discontinuity was lower among women who had at least finished high school, those with partner, with a family history of cancer, those who had undergone breast surgery, and who had outpatient visits to a Mastologist, and a Clinical Oncologist. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the women with breast cancer (69.0%) do not persist with hormone treatment for the five years recommended, increasing the risk of inadequate clinical results. The results show aspects of care that can provide better results. .

Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer / 이화의대지

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Korean women and its mortality rate has increased steadily. Although breast cancer is heterogeneous tumor, hormone receptor-positive tumors comprise about 75 percent of all breast cancers. Therefore endocrine therapy that works by targeting estrogen receptor is a pivotal treatment for breast cancers. There are selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane, fulvestrant and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists used in endocrine therapy. Endocrine therapy is effective in treating early breast cancer as an adjuvant therapy and metastatic breast cancer as a palliative therapy. Also in women who are at high risk for breast cancer, tamoxifen or raloxifene can prevent breast cancer. Studies for neoadjuvant endocrine therapy are emerging. Considering side effects of each drug and overcoming drug resistance are needed to maximize effectiveness of treatment and advance endocrine therapy.

Clinical study on intermittent hormonal therapy for patients with prostate cancer / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To investigate the effect of intermittent hormonal therapy(IHT) for patients with different stage/grade prostate cancer(PCa).Methods:The number of cycles and the duration of ON/OFF therapy for 45 PCa patients receiving IHT were observed.Maximal androgen blockade(MAB) the-rapies were used for six to nine months,and then stopped until the serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) was decreased below 0.2 ?g/L,which lasted for three months.It was decided whether MAB went on according to the level of PSA.Results:The average follow-up time was 40.7?13.4 months.Forty-one patients started the second cycle of treatment,of whom,8 became androgen-independent and 7 were at T3-4M0 or M1 stages and the Gleason scores were above 8.Sixteen patients entered the third cycle,of whom,14 were at lower than stage Ⅲ and 13 had the Gleason scores below 7.From the first to the fourth courses of treatment,the average intervals were 8.7?5.4(47.1%),8.4?4.9(49.3%),7.0?3.4(43.7%),and 3.7?0.6(42.5%)months respectively.Five patients developed bone metastasis.No one died up to now.According to the evaluation criteria,patients were divided into tolerance(n=16) and intolerance groups(n=29).Compared with the intolerance group,the patients who tolerated the treatment well had lower Gleason scores(P=0.002),lower PSA levels(P=0.053) and lower tumor stages(P=0.001).There was no evidence that age,lymph node metastasis,bone metastasis and the state of recurrence were associated with an increased risk of the outcome.Non-conditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the proportion of patients at stage Ⅳ was the only independent risk factor for the tolerance of the treatment(OR=12.113,95%CI 1.330-110.312,P=0.027).Conclusion:Intermittent hormonal therapy is more effective and proper for the patient with highly differentiated tumor and at lower stages(≤Ⅲ).The patients who progressed to hormone-independence are mostly at stage Ⅳ with poorly differentiated tumor.Intermittent hormone therapy could be more adaptive for the patients at lower than stage Ⅲ.