Does Adjuvant Antiestrogen Therapy Affect Cognitive Function in Women with Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer?

Tamoxifen, but not the aromatase inhibitor exemestane, was associated with diminished verbal memory and executive functioning.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is widely prescribed after initial treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer — but we know little about the effects of such antiestrogen therapy on cognitive function. Researchers performed neuropsychological assessments in 179 postmenopausal Dutch women (mean age, 68) with estrogen- or progesterone-receptor–positive breast cancer who were enrolled in an international open-label randomized trial that was designed to compare the AI exemestane with tamoxifen. A comparison group of 120 healthy women (mean age, 66) who were friends or relatives of participants also underwent cognitive testing. Neuropsychological assessments were performed after initial breast-cancer sur…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Does Adjuvant Antiestrogen Therapy Affect Cognitive Function in Women with Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer?

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Reviewing Author