Breast Cancer Patient Case Studies: Snapshots of Risk – FEMARA®

What is your early breast cancer patients' risk of developing distant metastases?

In postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor–positive (HR+) early breast cancer, distant metastases are associated with the lowest survival rates compared with other recurrences.¹ And the risk of distant metastases initially peaks just 2 years after surgery.²

But just how great is the risk of distant metastases for patients based on their distinct clinical profiles and breast cancer characteristics? Here, you will read about 4 cases that are representative of those you may see in your practice. Please review the background information on each patient. Then, click on the link following her profile to:

• Answer questions about her case
• Get more information regarding her specific risk of distant metastases and an effective treatment approach

FEMARA^® patient case study #1: Michelle

Clinical profile

• Age 68
• Stage IIIA
• Postmenopausal
• Comorbidity: Type 2 diabetes

Breast cancer characteristics

• ER+/PR-
• T2 (4 cm)
• Grade 2
• 4 positive nodes
• HER-2/neu+
• Modified radical mastectomy
• Radiation

FEMARA^® patient case study #2: Emma

Clinical profile

• Age 55
• Stage IIB
• Postmenopausal
• Comorbidity: Osteoporosis

Breast cancer characteristics

• ER+/PR+
• T3 (1.5 cm)
• Grade 1
• 2 positive nodes
• HER-2/neu-
• Modified radical mastectomy
• Radiation

FEMARA^® patient case study #3: Annette

Clinical profile

• Age 75
• Stage 1
• Postmenopausal
• Comorbidities:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Osteoarthritis

Breast cancer characteristics

• ER+/PR-
• T1 (1 cm)
• Grade 1
• No nodal involvement
• HER-2/neu-
• Lumpectomy
• Radiation

FEMARA^® patient case study #4: Astrid

Clinical profile

• Age 55
• Stage I
• Postmenopausal
• Comorbidity: Hypertension

Breast cancer characteristics

• ER+/PR-
• T1 (0.5 cm)
• Grade I
• No nodal involvement
• HER-2/neu-
• Lumpectomy
• Radiation

FEMARA^® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer.

Click here for Important Safety Information for FEMARA^®.

References 1. Rugo H, Rourke M, Dranitsaris G, Kaura S. Letrozole or anastrozole for the prevention of early recurrences in post menopausal women with early stage breast cancer: using number needed to treat (NNT) to compare benefit (abstract). EJC Supplements. 2008;6(7):118 (Abstract 236). 2. Mansell J, Monypenny IJ, Skene AI, et al. Distant metastasis-the most common type of early recurrence with adjuvant tamoxifen therapy. Poster presented at: 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 13-16, 2007; San Antonio, Texas.