Specialists providing endocrine therapy at BBG hold advanced qualifications in oncology, often with specialised training in breast cancer treatment. We possess extensive expertise in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer management, including the selection and administration of endocrine therapy, ensuring personalised and effective treatment for each patient.
Treatments - Oncology
Endocrine Therapy
Endocrine therapy is a vital component of breast cancer treatment, particularly for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. It works by targeting the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which promote the growth of certain breast cancer cells. Endocrine therapy aims to block these hormones or inhibit their effects, thereby slowing or halting cancer growth and reducing the risk of recurrence.
Personalised treatment plans are essential to optimise treatment outcomes and minimise side effects, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate and effective therapy tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
At a Glance
Treatment time:
Variable
Anaesthetic:
Not required
Return to work:
Next day
Duration:
On-going treatment
Final results:
Reduced risk of cancer recurrence
About This Treatment
Hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, which make up the majority of breast cancer cases, have receptors on their surface that can bind to oestrogen and / or progesterone.
When these hormones bind to their receptors, they stimulate cancer cell growth and proliferation. Endocrine therapy interferes with this process by either blocking the production of hormones in the body or preventing hormones from binding to their receptors on cancer cells. There are several types of endocrine therapy used in breast cancer treatment, including selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors (AIs), and selective oestrogen receptor degraders (SERDs).
SERMs, such as tamoxifen, work by binding to oestrogen receptors on breast cancer cells, preventing oestrogen from attaching to these receptors and stimulating cancer growth. Tamoxifen is commonly used in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and is typically taken orally once daily for a duration of five to ten years.
AIs, including letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane, work by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into oestrogen. By blocking oestrogen production, AIs effectively reduce oestrogen levels in the body, thereby depriving hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells of the fuel they need to grow and proliferate. AIs are primarily used in postmenopausal women and are typically taken orally once daily for five to ten years.
SERDs, such as fulvestrant, work by binding to oestrogen receptors on breast cancer cells and promoting their degradation, leading to a decrease in oestrogen receptor levels and signalling. This results in the inhibition of cancer cell growth and proliferation. Fulvestrant is administered via intramuscular injection and is typically given once monthly.
Personalised treatment plans are crucial in endocrine therapy to optimise treatment outcomes and minimise side effects. Before initiating endocrine therapy, you’ll undergo comprehensive testing to determine the hormone receptor status of your breast cancer, as well as menopausal status and overall health.
The decision to prescribe a specific type of endocrine therapy, such as tamoxifen or AIs, depends on factors such as your menopausal status, tumour characteristics, and individual preferences. For premenopausal women, tamoxifen is often the preferred choice, while AIs are typically reserved for postmenopausal women.
In addition to selecting the most appropriate type of endocrine therapy, personalised treatment plans also consider the duration of therapy and potential combination therapies. The optimal duration of endocrine therapy varies depending on factors such as tumour stage, risk of recurrence, and your individual characteristics. For example, some patients may benefit from extended adjuvant therapy with endocrine therapy beyond the standard five-year duration. Furthermore, endocrine therapy may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy, to enhance treatment efficacy. The decision to use combination therapy is based on factors such as tumour characteristics, treatment goals, and potential side effects.
The importance of personalised treatment plans in endocrine therapy extends beyond treatment selection to include comprehensive supportive care and monitoring throughout the treatment process. When receiving endocrine therapy you’ll also undergo regular follow-up visits at Birmingham Breast Group to assess treatment response, monitor for side effects, and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
Supportive care measures may include managing treatment-related side effects, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, or bone density loss, through medications, lifestyle modifications, and supportive therapies. You’ll also receive education and counselling on the importance of medication adherence, lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, and strategies for coping with the emotional and psychological impact of breast cancer treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Suitable candidates for endocrine therapy at BBG include individuals diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, regardless of menopausal status or tumour stage. Patients with tumours expressing oestrogen or progesterone receptors may benefit from endocrine therapy as part of their treatment plan to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy may experience side effects such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue, joint pain, and mood changes. Less common side effects may include increased risk of osteoporosis or blood clots. Management strategies are available to help alleviate these symptoms and improve patient comfort.
A typical treatment course involving endocrine therapy at BBG varies depending on individual factors such as tumour characteristics and treatment goals. For hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, endocrine therapy is typically administered for five to ten years to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve long-term outcomes.
How much doesEndocrine therapy cost at Birmingham Breast Group?
As each case is unique, the cost of treatment at BBG may vary depending on individual factors. We tailor our approach to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you receive personalised care and comprehensive support throughout your journey.
Initial consultation
please enquire
All consultations are conducted in strict privacy and all information is confidential.
Surgery costs from
based on consultation
Our personalised treatment plans are meticulously tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.
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Endocrine Therapy
Our Specialist Team
Meet the dedicated professionals at Birmingham Breast Group – committed to excellence, compassion, and personalised care for every patient.
BSc, MBBS, MSc, MRCS (Ed), FRCS (Eng), MD, FEBS
Naren Basu
Lead Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
BSc, BM, MRCP, FRCR, MD
Daniel Henderson
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
MBChB, PhD, FRCS (Eng)
Ms Salena Bains
Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Consultant Clinical oncologist
Dr James Good
PhD, FRCR
BSc, PhD, FRCP
Professor Daniel Rea
Professor of Medical Oncology
MRCP, FRCR
Dr Sara Meade
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
BSc, MBBS, MRCS, FRCR
Dr Faisal Majid
Consultant Radiologist
MSc, PhD, FRCPath
Dr Abeer Shaaban
Path Consultant Pathologist
Bsc, MBBS, MD (Pathology) FRCPath
Dr Rachna Awasthi
Path Consultant Pathologist
Dawn Larkin
Breast Care Specialist Nurse
Ruth Tracey
Macmillan Breast Health Care Assistant
Dr Nadia Alishah
Job Title Here
Qualifications Here
Gill Farrington
Breast Care Specialist Nurse
Procedure Videos
Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020
Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.
Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020
Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.
Written by a patient at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 1st December 2019
I have been a patient of Dr Basu since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months ago. Despite the curse of my diagnosis I couldn’t have asked for a better Dr and standard of care. He and his team are super-efficient, have gone out of their way to get fast effective treatment for me and he has super-human levels of patience. During every consultation he has been ever patient, carefully listened to all my questions and concerns then taken the time to explain everything to me and provided constant reassurance. He has been accessible at all times even over weekends and the support has been broad. He looks after you as if you are family and despite having a 90 minute journey to see him at times as we wanted the fastest appointment we couldn’t ask for anything more. Our family see him as an angel not just a doctor for what he has done for us and would recommend him in less than a blink of a eye.
Written by a patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30th September 2019
I first met Naren Basu in 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Women’s Hospital. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. He is an exceptionally skilled man at putting people at their ease and explaining everything with great patience and candour. He is a consummate professional and really knows his stuff, especially relating to breast cancer. He is very clever, witty, and a super surgeon. He carried out a reduction to both my breasts, removing the tumours at the same time. I was fortunate indeed to have my surgery via the NHS, it would have been very expensive as a private patient but worth every penny. I felt like a million dollars after my operation. I think he is a fabulous man and so skilled on so many levels and outstanding in human kindness.
Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 12th June 2019
Nine days before I was due to go on an extended holiday I discovered problems in both breasts. I was lucky enough to get an appointment 3 days before travel. Mr Basu even called me on the day of the appointment to ask me to come in earlier to ensure they had time to undergo all of the tests that evening. Anyone who has had these problems will know how overwhelming it is but Mr Basu took his time to speak to me and explained all of the procedures/tests that would be carried out that evening and possible outcomes. I did have a small procedure and again everything was explained fully and felt quite safe in his hands. The follow up appointments were just as thorough and Mr Basu made sure I understood all that we discussed. If I ever found myself in this position again Mr Basu would be my first port of call.
Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 11th May 2020
I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer November 8th 2019 , I was then appointed Dr Henderson almost immediately to discuss my treatment plan and way forward, I must say Dr Henderson was absolutely fantastic, he has a real calming nature and really put myself and my husband at ease , plotting my treatment course from day 1 gave us a massive line of sight to work to and in with combination of the nurses at little Aston facing the biggest fight of my life became easier & easier as the week progressed, I owe Dr Henderson my life and can’t thank him enough, he’s worth is weight in gold
Written by a patient at Good Hope Hospital, 27th November 2019
I am currently under the care of Dr Daniel Henderson at Good Hope Hospital, and I couldn’t ask for better. He listens, and speaks to you in laymans terms so you understand what is going on now and in the future. He talks to you and not at you, and has a very calm and soothing manner. If you are lucky enough to be referred to him, rest assured that you are in good hands, as he gets things actioned quickly.
Written by a patient at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 1st December 2019
I have been a patient of Dr Basu since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few months ago. Despite the curse of my diagnosis I couldn’t have asked for a better Dr and standard of care. He and his team are super-efficient, have gone out of their way to get fast effective treatment for me and he has super-human levels of patience. During every consultation he has been ever patient, carefully listened to all my questions and concerns then taken the time to explain everything to me and provided constant reassurance. He has been accessible at all times even over weekends and the support has been broad. He looks after you as if you are family and despite having a 90 minute journey to see him at times as we wanted the fastest appointment we couldn’t ask for anything more. Our family see him as an angel not just a doctor for what he has done for us and would recommend him in less than a blink of a eye.
Written by a patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30th September 2019
I first met Naren Basu in 2016 at the Queen Elizabeth Women’s Hospital. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. He is an exceptionally skilled man at putting people at their ease and explaining everything with great patience and candour. He is a consummate professional and really knows his stuff, especially relating to breast cancer. He is very clever, witty, and a super surgeon. He carried out a reduction to both my breasts, removing the tumours at the same time. I was fortunate indeed to have my surgery via the NHS, it would have been very expensive as a private patient but worth every penny. I felt like a million dollars after my operation. I think he is a fabulous man and so skilled on so many levels and outstanding in human kindness.
Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 12th June 2019
Nine days before I was due to go on an extended holiday I discovered problems in both breasts. I was lucky enough to get an appointment 3 days before travel. Mr Basu even called me on the day of the appointment to ask me to come in earlier to ensure they had time to undergo all of the tests that evening. Anyone who has had these problems will know how overwhelming it is but Mr Basu took his time to speak to me and explained all of the procedures/tests that would be carried out that evening and possible outcomes. I did have a small procedure and again everything was explained fully and felt quite safe in his hands. The follow up appointments were just as thorough and Mr Basu made sure I understood all that we discussed. If I ever found myself in this position again Mr Basu would be my first port of call.
Written by a carer at Spire Little Aston Hospital, 11th May 2020
I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer November 8th 2019 , I was then appointed Dr Henderson almost immediately to discuss my treatment plan and way forward, I must say Dr Henderson was absolutely fantastic, he has a real calming nature and really put myself and my husband at ease , plotting my treatment course from day 1 gave us a massive line of sight to work to and in with combination of the nurses at little Aston facing the biggest fight of my life became easier & easier as the week progressed, I owe Dr Henderson my life and can’t thank him enough, he’s worth is weight in gold
Written by a patient at Good Hope Hospital, 27th November 2019
I am currently under the care of Dr Daniel Henderson at Good Hope Hospital, and I couldn’t ask for better. He listens, and speaks to you in laymans terms so you understand what is going on now and in the future. He talks to you and not at you, and has a very calm and soothing manner. If you are lucky enough to be referred to him, rest assured that you are in good hands, as he gets things actioned quickly.
Written by a patient at BMI The Priory Hospital, 17th August 2020
Mr Henderson was kind and understanding and I felt completely at ease with him. He was well informed of my condition and explained his treatment plan to me fully. He has been very attentive in answering emails from me and I really cannot recommend him highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have been in his care.
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