Ovarian cancer metastasis after 18 years

Well, I guess this treatment is normally used to prevent recurring breast cancer, so it looks like it is not commonly used to treat a recurrent ovarian cancer incidence. I have no symptoms of
illness and the Letrozole was giving me some serious side effects, so I have discontinued using it until I talk to the Dr. again.

@basketballpal, I did a search in the Search bar at the top of the page to see if anyone else is prescribed Letrozole. As you've noted it looks like the majority of members on Mayo Clinic Connect have taken Letrozole to prevent recurrence of breast cancer.

What were your side effects from Letrozole? When do you next see your doctor so you can discuss your decision to discontinue and ask about alternatives?

Hi Helen, Thanks for your reply. I am actually seeing my GP tomorrow morning, so I will bring this up to her. I have another appointment with my oncologist in July and another scan scheduled. They are tracking my Inhibin B as my tumor marker and the first month it went down pretty dramatically, so that was good news. The side effects that concerned me most were the heart related ones such as palpitations and since I already had high cholesterol it can be more of a concern. Anyway, thanks for checking, and I'll keep on looking for online updates, etc. I'm actually feeling good at this time, so feeling blessed!

@basketballpal Oh, that's great that you are seeing your GP tomorrow and you can talk with her about the Letrozole and possible alternatives. Yes, I can understand how the side effects concern you. That's something I'd want more information on from my own doctor if I was in your place. It's also good news that the tumor marker showed that significant dip. All good news there.

Will you let me know what your GP says and what her recommendations are?

I'm tagging @slanepac2024 @janejax @cookercooker and others who have taken letrozole for ovarian or uterine cancer. See these related discussions:

- Any experience with significant back pain on Letrozole?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-experience-with-significant-back-pain-on-letrizole/
- Anyone else had letrozole to treat uterine cancer?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/letrozole-to-treat-uterine-cancer/

@basketballpal, have the side effects subsided? What side effects do you have? How are you doing?

Well, I have stopped taking the Letrozole until I get further clarification from my doctor. I was having all of the following symptoms and now that I stopped the medication everything has gone back to normal.
- Unable to get into a deep sleep and feeling exhausted and tired all the time.
- Loosing things, foggy, hard to focus.
- Joint pain kept getting worse. Stiffness even in bending fingers.
- Heart palpitations.
- Knees swelling
- Blood pressure increasing
- Hot flashes
- Feeling anxious and nervous which is not like me at all.

My GP said she would not want to take Letrozole if it was giving her all the side effects, but her good advice was to contact my ObGYN Oncologist to see if dosage could be changed, or possibly try a different medication. A lot of people seem to tolerate the Letrozole with minimal side effects, and it is a very effective drug for slowing, or
reducing/shrinking tumor growth.

@basketballpal Yes, getting the opinion/recommendation of your GYN Oncologist is a very good idea. I hope then you will find an effective medication that works for you. Do you have an appointment scheduled with the GYN Oncologist?

My next appointment is not until July, so I will need to call their office. 👍

@basketballpal Oh, goodness. July 11 is too far away in time! Yes, please call the office and ask if you can have an appointment sooner or ask to put on the "wait list". In the event that you're told there are no earlier appointments, other members here in our Gynecological Cancers Support Group have found that if they call the medical office every week and ask about a cancellation then they are able to get an appointment that way. You know the saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"? You can be that squeaky wheel...😉.