Drugs for the treatment of breast cancer

Definition

For "breast cancer" means a malignant neoplasm that originates in the tissues of the breast: it is estimated that one in eight-ten women is affected by this form of cancer. There are two main forms:

1. Lobular carcinoma: originates in the upper part of the breast (in the lobules, from which milk is produced)
2. Ductal carcinoma: originates in the ducts that move the milk to the nipple. Represents the most frequent form.

Causes

As with most cancers, there is no definite, scientifically proven cause for breast cancer; rather, some risk factors have been identified, including: alcohol intake, advanced age (> 50 years), diet rich in animal protein, smoking, early menarche, late menopause, obesity, genetic predisposition.

Symptoms

The signs that announce breast cancer are numerous and rather simple to identify: the fibrous and hard nodule in the breast and the return of the nipple are two lights that should immediately alarm the woman. In addition to these, in the case of cancer, the breast is painful and swollen, the skin that covers it takes on the appearance of orange peel and from the nipple serous substances and blood are secreted.

Information on Breast Cancer - Drugs for the Treatment of Breast Cancer is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Breast Cancer - Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment.

drugs

As with all other forms of cancer, the prognosis is strongly influenced by the stage of progress in which the cancer is diagnosed; in simple words, later the cancer is diagnosed, the more likely it is that the patient will not overcome the disease.

This is why a doctor must be contacted immediately from the first symptoms.

Treatment for breast cancer includes:

1. Radiotherapy: to destroy the cancerous tissue
2. Surgery: for the removal of neoplastic tissue (partial or total removal of the breast)
3. Chemotherapy: taking chemotherapy drugs, targeted for the destruction of malignant cells. Typically, chemotherapy treatment follows surgery: the drug is administered intravenously or orally or both. The most widely used drugs in treatment for breast cancer treatment are cytotoxic and hormonal antagonists.

• Tamoxifen (eg. Nolvadex, Tamoxifen AUR, Nomafen): the use of this drug (class: anti-estrogens), widely used in therapy against breast cancer, is useful for reducing the development of the tumor mass; the drug performs its therapeutic action by blocking the effects of estrogens, ideally implicated in the survival and growth of cancer cells. It has been observed that a good percentage of estrogen-sensitive women are treated with this drug. The recommended dose for treatment of advanced breast cancer (metastasis) is 20 mg orally in single dose, or 40 mg orally in two divided doses. The duration of therapy should be determined by the doctor. For ductal carcinoma in situ, take 20 mg orally per day for 5 years. For the prevention of breast cancer, take 20 mg of oral medication once a day for 5 years.
• Fluoxymesterone (eg Halotestin): belongs to the class of anabolic steroids and is also used in therapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Take 10-40 mg of oral medication, divided into 3-4 doses. The duration of therapy varies from 1 to 3 months. Taking this drug can lead to anorexia, acne and changes in the menstrual cycle.
• Exemestane (eg Aromasin): the drug belongs to the class of aromatase inhibitors; is indicated to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women. The recommended dose is 25 mg orally once a day. Precisely, for women in the post-menopausal period with early breast cancer, already treated with tamoxifen, it is recommended to continue therapy with Exemestane for up to 5 years, in combination with hormone therapy.
• Anastrozole (Arimidex): another aromatase inhibitor, particularly effective in the treatment of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, since after this age estrogens are mainly synthesized by aromatase (in fertile age, however, the ovarian secretion, which occurs under stimulation of the luteinizing hormone LH). For the dosage: consult a doctor.
• Trastuzumab (Ex. Hercepitin): the drug is used both as monotherapy and in combination with other drugs (eg paclitaxel). Start with 4 mg / kg IV infusion over 90 minutes. Continue therapy with 2 mg / kg by 30-minute intravenous infusion every week until complete tumor regression.
• Lapatinib (eg Tyverb) the initial dose is 1250 mg (5 tablets) to be taken orally once a day, for a period ranging from 1 to 21 days, in combination with capecitabine (eg xeloda). The treatment should be continued until the tumor regresses.
• Bevacizumab (Ex. Avastin): the recommended dose for treating breast cancer is 10 mg / kg intravenously every 2 weeks; in general, the drug is combined with paclitaxel (eg Abraxane, Paxene).
• Cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter) alkylating agents: in monotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer, take 40-50 mg / kg fractionated in several doses in 2-5 days. Alternatively, take 10-15 mg / kg every 7-10 days or 5 mg / kg twice a week. For the maintenance dose, it is recommended to take the drug orally at the dose of 1-8 mg / kg per day.
• Letrozole (eg Letrozole ACC, Femara): belonging to the class of aromatase inhibitors, this drug is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer in post-menopausal women; in general, it is used following a hormonal therapy that has not reported a sufficient positive response. Take 2.5 mg of the drug orally, once a day, with or without food. Letrozole therapy should be continued until complete breast cancer has been completely remitted.