Estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when estrogen receptors attach to the estrogen in your body. A majority of patients with breast cancer are affected by ER-positive cancer.
Most treatments for ER2 breast cancer involve the prevention of the effects of the estrogen hormone. Cancers like ER2 breast cancer are usually treated with hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy is usually prescribed after a patient has already had chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.
There are several different medications that are available for the treatment of ER2 breast cancer and they do not work the same way.
ER2 Breast Cancer Treatment
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) works by blocking hormone receptors in the body. This prevents hormones from binding to those receptors.
Aromatase Inhititororibs, such as anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin) and (), actually stop the production of estrogen. These types of inhibitors should only be used for women who have already gone through menopause.
CDK 4/6 inhibitors, such as () and ribociclib (Kisqali), can be used in combination with Aromatase Inhititororibs. These should also only be used for women who have already gone through menopause. These are more suitable for patients who have certain types of advanced stage breast cancer.
() can also be used in combination with the hormone therapy ().
It is important to talk to a professional doctor or oncologist who can help you determine which treatment could work best for you.
Be sure that if you are taking any of these treatments that you take them exactly as directed.
There is no guarantee that these treatments will work for everyone. It is best to choose one that is best suited for your case of breast cancer.
These treatments will work if you have ER2 breast cancer, but will not work if you have ER-negative breast cancer.
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