Hormone Shots Could Increase Breast Cancer Survival
Reported February 26, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — The results of a new clinical trial show an injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone called goserelin can improve long term survival in some women with early breast cancer.
The research found two years of goserelin treatment was comparable to two years of a patient taking tamoxifen. Trial data revealed goserelin can reduce long term risk of cancer recurrence and deaths in premenopausal women with early breast cancer who did not take tamoxifen.
Researchers said two years of goserelin injections could be an alternative for women who are unlikely to complete five years of tamoxifen tablets.
“In summary, long-term follow up of our large trial showed that goserelin had a demonstrable effect on survival and recurrence 15 years after starting treatment and is as effective as tamoxifen when each are given for two years,” study authors said.
SOURCE: Journal of The National Cancer Institute, Published online, February 2009