Goserelin (Brand Zoladex) is a medication used for treating Breast Cancer. It is a hormonal therapy drug that is given as an injection by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital setting or a clinic.
Like all cancer medications, goserelin / zoladex injection can cause certain side effects. Some of the more common goserelin / zoladex side effects include:
- Sweating and/or hot flushes
- Changing moods
- Skin rash
- High levels of calcium in the blood
- Change in periods
- Tumour flares
- Hair thinning
- Bone thinning
- Headaches
- Pain in muscles and/or joints
Even though, side effects that can be life-threatening are rare. It is best to consult with your doctor about all risks associated with Goserelin.
Another form of medication known as Goserelin Acetate (Zoladex Impant) is an artificial form of hormone that is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. It is also used to treat breast cancer or endometriosis in women. It works by preparing the lining of the uterus for a surgery to correct uterine bleeding or endometrial ablation.
Goserelin (Brand Zoladex) comes in the following doses:
- Brand Zoladex 3.6 mg pre-filled injections
- Brand Zoladex 10.8 mg pre-filled injections
Goserelin / Zoladex price information
How can Goserelin (Brand Zoladex) be used to treat Breast Cancer?
Certain types of breast cancer are dependent on a hormone called oestrogen to grow and spread. Oestrogen is a hormone that is mainly produced by the ovaries.
Goserelin works by “switching off” the production of oestrogen hormone by altering the hormone signals from the brain that directs how the ovaries functions. This process is referred to as ovarian suppression or ovarian ablation.
Before Treatment Requirements
To determine the type of breast cancer that is dependent on oestrogen to grow, your doctor would conduct a test to check for oestrogen receptors using tissue samples from a surgery or a biopsy.
If the tumour cells have receptors that are linked with oestrogen hormone, then it is considered to be oestrogen receptor positive and your treatment with goserelin may begin.
Certain tests may also be done to check for progesterone receptors. The effect of hormone therapy for people with progesterone positive receptors is generally less successful. Such a breast cancer types are also fewer. However, in case of progesterone positive receptor breast cancers, a specialist would determine whether goserelin is the right treatment option for you.
Treatment Effects
Within the first three weeks of receiving the goserelin injection, the oestrogen amount in the body should reach levels that are similar to that of a post-menopausal woman. Additionally, you would also stop having periods. Such changes are only temporary and will likely last as long as you are receiving goserelin.
After Treatment Effects
Once your treatment with goserelin ends, the ovaries would start producing oestrogen again and you would once again start having periods within the first 3 months.
Role of Goserelin / Zelodax in treating breast cancer in post-menopausal women
The current standard treatment options for breast cancer in post-menopausal women generally include chemotherapy, tamoxifen medication and ovarian ablation by surgery.
The usage of goserelin in managing the earlier stages of breast cancer only offers an opportunity to avoid side effects caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Can Goserelin be used to preserve fertility during chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy may damage the ovaries and cause infertility in women. According to certain studies conducted that observed the effects of goserelin and chemotherapy.
It was found that goserelin may preserve the ovaries during chemotherapy. This is because it “shuts down” the oestrogen production or ovarian suppression.
However, ovarian suppression may lower the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Hence, the role of goserelin in preserving fertility in women during chemotherapy is uncertain.
Goserelin / Zoladex price information
The information provided on the page is meant for the purpose of being helpful and educational. It should not be considered as medical advice.
Nearly 1 in 5 cases of breast cancer, high levels of a protein known as epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR has been observed.
This results in shorter survival period for patients of breast cancer and also build up resistance to hormonal therapy.
As such an EGFR targeted therapy drug such as Iressa / gefitinib may provide successful results in treating certain kinds of breast cancer.
Generic: GefitinibBrand: Iressa by AstraZeneca Gefitinib tablet generally comes in the dosage of 250 mg. Gefitinib / Iressa medication cost information Researchers have explored this treatment concept that iressa / gefitinib in combination with fulvestrant (an estrogen receptor antagonist) can have a positive impact on the hormonal therapy’s anti-tumour effect.This combination of iressa / gefitinib with fulvestrant was used for treating different breast cancer types:Postmenopausal breast cancerAlthough menopause itself is not a risk factor for breast cancer.
In a few cases, the medication that are used to manage symptoms of menopause can increase the chances of breast cancer.Postmenopausal breast cancer with inflammatory skin metastasis with increased levels of HER2/neu gene amplificationHER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein that is enables cell growth in some breast cancer cells.Breast Cancer types that have increased amounts of HER2 protein are considered to be HER2 positive.HER2 protein positive cancer cells can be treated with certain targeted therapy medications.ER-positive hormone refractory breast cancerThe status of hormone receptor indicates whether a type of breast cancer requires hormones for its growth.
The breast cancer cells would require hormones to grow if they are hormone receptor positive.
A sample of your urine is examined under a microscope in this test.
It can observe urinary system cells, blood cells, crystals, viruses, parasites, and tumour cells.
This test is frequently used to corroborate the results of other tests or to supplement a diagnosis.
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