What Is Exemestane Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is exemestane used for?" The primary use of exemestane involves the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The medication works by inhibiting the action of aromatase enzymes, which causes the body to produce less estrogen. Because many breast cancers are sensitive to estrogen, less estrogen in the body can help keep the cancer from growing.

What Is Exemestane Used For?

Exemestane (Aromasin®) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Specifically, exemestane has been licensed to treat postmenopausal women who are switching from tamoxifen (Nolvadex®, Soltamox®) and have:
 
  • Early breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive and have had surgery or radiation
     
  • Advanced breast cancer that has not responded to tamoxifen.
     

Understanding Breast Cancer

Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer, except for skin cancer. Each year, more than 211,000 American women learn that they have breast cancer. Most causes of breast cancer are not known. In 5 to 10 percent of these cases, there is a hereditary component. Common breast cancer symptoms include:
 
  • A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
  • A change in how the breast or nipple feels
  • Nipple tenderness
  • A change in how the breast or nipple looks
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast
  • A nipple turned inward into the breast
  • Nipple discharge (fluid).
     
In general, breast cancer treatment options can include:
 
The best treatments can vary by the stages of breast cancer (see Breast Cancer Treatment by Stage).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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