What Is Letrozole Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is letrozole used for?" Letrozole is typically used to treat specific types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It works by blocking the action of estrogen receptors in the body, which lowers estrogen production and helps to decrease the cancer's growth. On occasion, letrozole is also used for off-label reasons, such as treating breast cancer in premenopausal women or excess estrogen in men.

What Is Letrozole Used For? -- An Overview

Letrozole (Femara®) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Specifically, letrozole is used for the treatment of postmenopausal women who:
 
  • Have early breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive and who have had surgery
     
  • Have taken tamoxifen (Nolvadex®, Soltamox™) for five years after surgery or radiation for breast cancer
     
  • Have advanced or metastatic (spreading) breast cancer that is either hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown.
     

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 the disease. Most breast cancer causes are not known. In 5 percent to 10 percent of these cases, there is a hereditary component. Some 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 treatment that is best for a particular person will depend on the stage 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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