How soon after completing radiation should anti-estrogen medication start?
Some oncologists wait 1 day, 1 week or 1 month? Is there a preferred waiting period?
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
I do not have a strong preference. For some high risk patients, the oncologist is eager to start, even during radiation. For a standard risk patient, waiting until following the peak reaction is my usual recommendation (~1-2 weeks post RT). This is to avoid the potential for the pa...
Comments
Radiation Oncologist at Northeast Oklahoma Cancer Center Waiting until after XRT to start anti-estrogen the...
Radiation Oncologist at Bismarck Cancer Center Data exist, albeit retrospective and thus suscepti...
Radiation Oncologist at Northeast Oklahoma Cancer Center Excellent reference, @John M. Watkins, thank you. ...
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
I like the review @John M. Watkins cited above. I have no real preference although some of my oncology colleagues do so I accommodate them. However there is some data of synergy with Tamoxifen during radiation. I actually like to have patients start during radiation so I can m...
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
There is no preferred time. Recommendations are driven by individual preferences or practice patterns and most places give the same recommendations to all patients.
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
The NSABP analyzed local control in their older hormone studies and found no detriment to concurrent tamoxifen. In the lab, I recall reading about increased fibrosis with tamoxifen given concurrently. No data for the aromatase inhibitors.
The NSABP countered the idea that tamoxifen caused dec...
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
Compliance is a problem with our patients so we make sure they either start the AI/tamoxifen the day after XRT or make sure they have apt within two weeks with Med Onc to discuss/start AI.
We document the start date of AI in our EMR and put the info in the COT note as well.
Waiting until after XRT to start anti-estrogen the...
Data exist, albeit retrospective and thus suscepti...
Excellent reference, @John M. Watkins, thank you. ...