The role of endocrine therapy in adjuvant management for premenopausal breast cancer patients

The efficacy of adjuvant treatment in some cases of early breast cancer is unquestionable.
In 1998, the first report about the role of adjuvant treatment was published. Opinion leaders, such as the International Experts Panel conducted in St Gallen by Dr. A. Goldhirsch, every two years present the most recent information about the treating of breast cancer patients.
Since 2001 it has been essential that the endocrine receptor status is one of the most important factors in the biology of breast cancer tumor cells. The presence of the endocrine receptor is known as a positive prognostic factor.
Since the results of trials, comparing CMF chemotherapy and analogue LHRH for premenopausal breast cancer patients have been published, during last two International Conferences on The Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer in St. Gallen, this subject was widely discussed.
After the last meeting, it became clear that goserelin is indicated for very young women with low and intermediate risk of recurrence, as an alternative option to tamoxifen or chemotherapy.
The other endocrine treatment modalities and the optimal duration of treatment should be confirmed in clinical trials. If chemotherapy is indicated, the endocrine therapy should be given sequentially after adjuvant CT.