Dr. Mahtani on Side Effects of Ovarian Suppression in Breast Cancer

Reshma L. Mahtani, DO, assistant professor of clinical medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, discusses side effects of ovarian suppression in patients with breast cancer.

Updated data from the TEXT and SOFT clinical trials in premenopausal women with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer showed that there is a benefit to ovarian function suppression. Although, investigators observed that absolute benefits were greater in patients who had higher risk of disease.

Generally, ovarian function suppression is associated with more side effects for most pre-menopausal patients, says Mahtani. Additionally, the use of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as opposed to tamoxifen may lead to join discomfort, osteoporosis, and issues with libido. Mahtani says that when ovarian function suppression is used with an AI, side effects can be more prevalent, so clinicians should be sure to only use that option in the patients who will derive the most benefit.