Breast cancer treatment

[hemoglobincell]

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On page 495 of First Aid 2010 under testosterone, it says that testosterone may be used to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. However, I have looked online and it seems like testosterone is actually contraindicated because it is converted into estrogen, thus stimulating the tumor. Next to the indication in First Aid is "(exemestane)" which has me thoroughly annoyed because exemestane is not a testosterone. I know exemestane is used to treat breast cancer by blocking aromatase, but I don't see how giving straight testosterone is a good idea. Thanks for your help.

 

[turkeyjerky]

so did you start this thread just to vent about some of the bs in first aid? yeah, I agree--there's some ******ed $hit in there.

 

[hemoglobincell]

Ha no actually my question is if anyone knows definitively if testosterone is used for ER-positive breast cancers.

 

[birdsofafeather]

I think it is confusing that First Aid put "treat ER-postive breast cancer (exemestane)" under the testosterone section.

I do not think they meant that testosterone is used to treat breast cancer which is why they put (exemestance) right after that clinical use.

Maybe they put it there because exemestane will increased testosterone since you are blocking aromatase thus increasing androstenedione. The excess testosterone won't be converted to estrogen.... instead you get the side effects of excess testosterone.

 

[birdsofafeather]

To answer your question, no!

 

[hemoglobincell]

Thank you. I have now crossed that out as an indication. I should get a fortune for my heavily-edited copy of first aid... I have found and corrected so many mistakes...