Letrozole, how long before it start shrinking the tumour.

I am in the same place as you!  Almost 5 months in and possibly a little bigger!  My surgeon said at 3 month check that he would have expected to see some shrinkage by now and gave me 3 more months but that's it!  If you look at my previous thread (I'll try and find it for you) some lovely ladies replied which might help you.  It's a b****,isn't it?

Hi  At least it's not growing!!!! I wouldn't imagine the onco would let this drag on too long. When do you next see him/her? That's a key question to put to them I think.

Best

I will see the oncologist on the 15th, he had in mind shrinkage with letrozole followed by lumpectomy and radiotherapy. it seems the first stage is a failure, and I don't like the idea of radiotherapy where my heart and my good lung side is. I keep thinking that a mastectomy without radiotherapy would be better, but that will have to be discussed.

As for following the surgery with taking letrozole for 5 years, now I know letrozole don't seem to work for some people (I seem to be one of them), as it seems to be expected to shrink the lump nearly straight away, so I suppose it would be useless to carry on with it to prevent breast cancer recurrences, but will not be stopping it before seeing the onco. Furthermore, I am suffering from a bad rash all over the arms, neck, back of left knee and belly, I thought it was because the pharmacy gave me another brand of letrozole (cipla) but now I have another brand than cipla, it doesn't seem to get better, so my rash and the relentless itch I am experiencing now might be coming from the letrozole rather than the cipla coating, I don't think that I would stand 5 years of scratching myself to death, it's torture.

On the plus side, it didn't grow bigger, so that's a positive I suppose.

Hi again  I wouldn't write letrozole of just yet. It seems to be having some effect, as your tumour isn't growing. It's also possible that the tumour is dying off and the ultrasound is looking at a mix of dead and alive cells. 

From what you say, you have a problem with your lung on the other side? If that's the case then do make sure the radio oncologist is fully aware of it and takes it all fully into account. There is a slight risk of radio catching the edge of your heart or lung, but it's very slight. The LINAC machines and the planning are very sophisticated and accurate these days. There's also a breath hold technique used by some hospitals , although that's more about the heart than the lung, and is for the left hand side. Several people on here have used it. Here's a link:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../

As far as taking letrozole for 5 years is concerned, it's possible that another aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole or exemestane, may suit you better than letrozole and if none of those are suitable, then there's always tamoxifen. The thing is that hormone therapy is a very good treatment for hormone positive BC and to stop it recurring. It's worth persevering if you can. 

I suggest you do some research, and write down all your questions. Then you'll be fully armed for a discussion with your onco on the 15th. Let us know how it goes.

Best

Hi Lolaan

I am now on Letrozole after Anastrozole.  Tumour at previous US (July 2016) was 8.1mm (depth) x 6.1mm (width) - no idea of length.  Latest US (February 2017) shows 7.8mm (depth) x 6.1mm (width) so only a little change.  I changed to Letrozole 6 months ago.  Therefore a partial reduction in size and as someone has already said at least you haven't had an increase which is good.  Unsure of your grade.  My research has found that cancer cells 'divide' every 90 days.  Suggest the next 3 months might show promise.  Talk to the team about the itch - they may be able to help.

I have seen the oncolo for the result of the ultrasound, the tumour is fragmenting, but they have found another tumour like growth next to it, might be a new one, might be part of the tumour has moved, might be swollen lymph nodes, will have to have another biopsy to clarify this.

I hope they won't make a habit with biopsies, I hate them.

Hi Lolaan

My first biopsy in August 2012 was a core punch biopsy.  Only had a little bruise but only found it when it had gone yellow!  This seems to be the case with me.  However, the fine needle aspiration is another kettle of fish and, I think, one I will never have again.  After numbing me she dove right in.  She even said that I might not like her if she were to do a core punch biopsy as the lymph node was right between 2 blood veins/arteries, whatever.  Well I got the biggest blue/black bruise EVER.  I am definitely refusing any more of those!

US and mamm to come in August 2017 for me before a consult with the surgeon/oncologist.  Hopefully the Letrozole will have reduced the tumour some more.  I am choosing to have the mamm as I haven't had one on the right boob since 8 May 2014.  Totally refused them.  But I am such a curious bod!  I want to see what it looks like now some 3 years down the line.  I do pay for copies of the scans and any other paperwork.  Obviously I get copies of the letters to my GP.  Not seen any 'bloody-minded old cuss' written down yet but there is probably some time yet for them to do so! 

Additionally added to my cornucopia of supplements, Milk Thistle Complex (for the Dandelion) - cancer fighter, and a Beetroot and Apple drink, one glass a day in the evening when I take some supplements.  The Milk Thistle goes in the juice.

Interesting that your team have confirmed that your tumour is fragmenting.  So good.  They don't say anything like that to me AND from August 2012 it has reduced. I think, quite dramatically.  Maybe I need to stir things up and ask some more in depth questions!!!!!

Positive thoughts now.  Come on Letrozole, keep on working so that Lolaan has a complete and disappeared tumour.  That's my expectations for you.  Take care

I had another biopsy. Guided core biopsy breast + guided core biopsy axilla.

This time, I had no pain with the procedure, it was a different person from the two first time, he gave me lots of local anaesthetic, on the contrary of the two first time when the anaesthetic wore off during the procedure, and she insisted to carry on without topping up on the anaesthetic, but she had to anaesthetise me because I would not let her poke in me without anaesthetic. Second time, same woman, gave me the anaesthetic, but started straight away, was painful so she stopped and told me we wait a little while for the anaesthetic to take effect. Didn't she know that before poking into me?

Is it me or does the woman who has done the first two biopsies sounds like she has sadistic tendencies? I think I will refuse to be touched by her in the future. She shouldn't be left to go near any human being......

Had confirmation that my breast tumour is fragmenting, but they had found another thing there that wasn't there before, thus another biopsy, and my lymph nodes seemed swollen, which I was told might be caused by the letrozole, but had a biopsy there as well just in case.

Just need to wait for the results now. might not be nothing. 

Hi Lolaan

Great isn't it when a bit of knowledge and to put it bluntly, gumption, comes into play.  Let's hope it is nothing.  Some radiographers just do not have the sensitive or compassion to be in this job.  I just wonder how they would feel if they had someone like her doing it to her!  Really would like to see this kind of rough justice meted out to her.  I can but wish.

Anyway, take care of yourself and fingers crossed.

Hi My name is Josephine and I have breast cancer so I have been given to take Letrozole to try to shrink the tumor that I have  Will this medication shrink my tumor  So I have been taking the pill once a day,  Does this medication truly shrink the tumor  Can someone respond to me about this.  I have been taking already for one week.  Can you let me know if this medication really works.  My name is Josephine.

Thank you for your respionse.