Advice please on Anastrozone v Letrozole

[Towergirl]

I have to decide on which Aromatase Inhibitor

My Oncologis suggested I try hormone blockers mentioning Anastrozone.

I’m interested to know which works best for HGS OC with BRACA 2 on recurrence.

I’ve noticed mention of Letrozole on here and would appreciate to hear of symptoms and of course success you ladies have had of either one.

I’m nervous after Protein blocker Olaparib failed and I’ve been back on Chemotherapy.

He’s seeing me on the 10th with hopefully results from my CT scan.

I would welcome any advice or information from you kind ladies.

[Rosado22]

Hi, I was on Letrozole and it gave me a nine month break from chemo - I’m non BRCA and non HRD but original tumour did test positive for estrógen. I think both drugs work in the same way, blocking estrógen which means some aching joints and hot flushes. I managed the joints quite well by doing simple little stretches each day which I found by googling Letrozole breast cancer exercises - Royal Marsden had some simple finger and wrist ones for example. After a few months I started calcium and vitamin D tablets as advised, basic ones from the supermarket. Then gp prescribed stronger which I couldn’t tolerate - could only take three and then stopped. Best to ask oncologist as to differences between the two drugs. I was so happy to take the Letrozole as a means of delaying further chemo.

[Lirene in reply to Rosado22]

Hi, I was on the estrogen blocker Anastrozole sometime ago. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me, but neither did Bevacizumab, Niparib etc. My super Oncologist told has tried everything going nearly! After four years chemotherapy etc,. I’ve just managed to get major surgery at Preston Royal, so grateful to the Lord, my Oncologist and Surgeons. I’m 4b HGSOC and feel as if I’ve been given another chance at life. Surely, try Anastrozole initially, it is only a small tablet I recall, and if it doesn’t work try the alternatives-it’s great to have a choice. I wish you all the luck in the world. Love and prayers Lx

[Towergirl in reply to Lirene]

Hi Lirene, just wondering which surgeon you had at Preston Royal. Was your operation very invasive? Also wondering if we have the same Oncologist?

I’ve had a similar journey to you. My recurrence was in November 2022 being a mass from Liver to Spleen where the main tumour is.

After 3 cycles of Carbo Taxol chemo I saw George, surgeon at Preston Royal but the operation was long and risky so we both agreed to carry on with chemo. End scan showed NED on Liver, but tumour though reduced still there. Next Olaparib.

November 2023 CT scan showed growth of tumour, down towards colon.

Back on Chemo in January Carbo with Caelyx . March, back to Preston Royal after 3 cycle. I saw Mr Wood this time (who did my original debunking). Same conversation operation to involved and he discouraged me said the operation was a none starter.

July scan encouraging now awaiting November CT scan!

Have you had your operation or just a date?

Best wishes for your recovery and have a lovely Christmas.

[Lirene]

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2020 cancer was too widespread to operate so I’ve had four years of Carboplatin, and Paclitaxol, Bevacizumab, Anastrozole, and a couple of PARP inhibitors including Niparib which made levels drop so much I had to have infusions. I’ve had numerous recurrences, and numerous hair losses-I have always used the ‘cold cap’. George did a laparoscopy last year but I was ill during surgery so was told ‘no more operations’. Earlier this year I managed 16 out of 18 weekly Carboplatin and Paclitaxol cycles and disease was found to be stable. I went to see Nick Wood in October and he did every possible test to ensure I was fit for surgery and I was. Nick thought the ‘gas’ used to pump up the stomach during the laparoscopic procedure could have caused the illness during my surgery. Surgery was November 11th. Nick and Alice were main surgeons. I’d had a hysterectomy many many years ago and emergency bowel surgery eight years ago. They removed Omentum, ovaries and fallopion tubes, 7cm ‘mass’, nodules from my bowel and a part of my diaphragm I fact all disease they could see (7 hours in surgery). I was in critical care for one night and 16 days on the gynaecology ward. I am home now and feel fine although slowly getting back to normal. [I believe] The Lord our God and his son, our Lord Jesus Christ have given me another chance of life through the skills of Nick Wood and his team. I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life. I am 72 stage 4b my advice would be: trust in the Lord ask him for strength and guidance and never ever give up.

Bless you love, may I give you and millions of OC sufferers throughout the world the gift of hope. Love and prayers Lx

edited by moderator to include text in brackets

[SopSinger]

It's very individual, which is why there are so many options - if one doesn't work for you, the other may do the trick. Be glad that there are two possibilities open to you. It's worth asking your oncologist which he/she thinks might work better for you, but in the end there's always some trial and error involved.