oopherectomy VS zolodex

[alicecallahan]

Can anyone direct me to new info. as to whether surgical removal of ovaries
is better than monthly zolodex injections for ER pos/her pos advanced breast
cancer? My ovaries turned back on after almost 2 years and I had to halt the
Arimidex until I turn postmenop. again.......Also, anyone who has had both,
is the quality of life better with surgical removal? The shots are a pain......literally !!!

[tricia keegan]

Alice I've never had zoladex but just wanted to respond to bump your question up a little. I did have an oophorectomy last August as a preventative measure and also to take Arimidex. The op itself was no problem with a quick recovery and although I had hot flashes for about a month they have lessoned in intensity and frequency and are very managable. I did have a dexa scan which showed some bone loss so now take fosamax,not sure if that was purely the op or a mixture of chemo and sudden menopause. Good luck with your decision.

[alicecallahan]

thanks tricia......now my team of docs may decide to also take my uterus as its been showing a large area of fibroids....i really dont want to go through surgery, but i know its all pretty minor........having estrogen postive brest cancer before menopause is so much of an additional challenge !!!!!!!

[panicked911]

I opted for Lupron rather than zolodex - lupron shots are easier to take - they are in the rear end rather tha in the stomach as with zolodex. I have consultd with three oncs who all said that if you are not at a higher risk for ovarian cancer due to genetics and can tolerate the shots - stick with the shots - it is reversible while surgery is not and mecially they are the equivelent.
Hope this helps

Susanne

[alicecallahan]

Thanks for the response, Susanne. I have no reason to keep
the ovaries,though, and although no history of ovarian, breast, prostate, and may other cancers are running rampant in my mom's family........Do you know what the differences are bet. lupron and zolodex? Just curious, I was not given an option...