pISSN 1738-6756   eISSN 2092-9900
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
    J Breast Cancer. 2007 Jun;10(2):134-140. Korean.
    Published online Jun 30, 2007.
    https://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2007.10.2.134
    Copyright © 2007 Korean Breast Cancer Society
    Original Article

    Experience of Ovarian Function Suppression Therapy: Endocrine Response Preand Perimenopausal Korean Breast Cancer Patients in the Adjuvant Setting

    Jung Sun Lee, Mi Ae Chang, Bo-kyoung Ko, Soo Jung Hong, Hee Jeong Kim, Byung Ho Son, Sung Bae Kim,1 Jin Hee Ahn,1 Beom Seok Kwack,2 and Sei-Hyung Ahn
      • Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan Collage of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
      • 1Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan Collage of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
      • 2Department of Surgery, Dongkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
    Received December 19, 2006; Accepted March 07, 2007.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    Published Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group overview results have been the beneficial effects of tamoxifen and ovarian ablation for pre and perimenopausal women with node negative breast cancer. Chemotherapy and Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) agonists (medical ovarian ablation) have been shown to be effective adjuvant therapies for early stage breast cancer in several clinical trials however, the efficacy and tolerance of LHRH agonists in Korean breast cancer patients has not been evaluated.

    Methods

    Three thousand one hundred fifty breast cancer patients were treated at Asan Medical Center between January 2003 and December 2005. We selected 185 patients with node negative early breast cancer who were endocrine responsive (more than intermediate intensity), with a tumor size more than 1 cm, and who were reluctant to undergo chemotherapy due to the side effects. They received LHRH agonists (Zoladex® 3.6 mg) every 28 days with tamoxifen for two years. We prospectively evaluated mammography, chest PA, and physical examination every six months and evaluated the side effects and quality of life.

    Results

    The mean age was 43.5 yr, and the mean tumor size was 1.62 cm. One hundred sixty-two patients had Stage I, and 23 Stage II disease. The incidence of severe menopausal symptoms was 24.1%, but these symptoms were reported to be "tolerable" during the two year follow-up. Quality of life and physical activity were essentially unchanged. The median follow-up duration was 18 months, and there was no local recurrence or distant metastases during the study.

    Conclusion

    Adjuvant therapy with LHRH agonists is safe and tolerable, and may be an alternative to chemotherapy for pre-and perimenopausal women with hormone responsive early breast cancer who are reluctant to undergo chemotherpy.

    Keywords
    Ovarian function suppression; Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone analogue; Breast cancer; Side effect

    Figures

    Fig 1
    The change of serum mean Estradiol (E2) after Goserelin injection.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Patient and tumor charateristics

    Table 2
    Quality of life according to WHO grade record before the start of the trial

    Table 3
    Quality of life according to WHO grade record at the 3 months after the start of the trial

    Table 4
    Quality of life according to WHO grade record at the 12 months after the start of the trial

    Table 5
    Quality of life according to WHO grade record at the 24 months after the start of the trial

    Table 6
    Incidence of elicited side effects

    Table 7
    Incidence of limited physical activity

    References

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    MeSH Terms
    Breast Neoplasms*
    Breast*
    Chungcheongnam-do
    Drug Therapy
    Female
    Follow-Up Studies
    Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
    Humans
    Incidence
    Mammography
    Motor Activity
    Neoplasm Metastasis
    Physical Examination
    Prospective Studies
    Quality of Life
    Recurrence
    Tamoxifen
    Thorax
    Metrics
    Share
    Figures
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    Tables
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