CYP19A1 rs10046 Pharmacogenetics in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors: One-year Follow-up.

Background: Significant individual variation in bone loss associated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) emphasizes the importance of identifying postmenopausal breast cancer patients at high risk for this adverse effect. The study explores the clinical relevance of genetic variation in the Cytochrome P450 19A1 (CYP19A1) gene in a subset of South African patients during the first year of taking AIs for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

Methods: The study population consisted of ER-positive breast cancer patients on AIs, followed in real-life clinical practice.

Assessment of the delayed repair of uncomplicated inguinal hernias in infants.

Background: Potential strangulation of infant inguinal hernias is the main indication for their urgent repair. Lack of theatre time delays repair and prolongs hospitalisation. We report a series of patients with uncomplicated hernias who were discharged home to have their elective surgery at a later stage and assessed the outcomes of this approach.

Disparities in Breast Cancer: Private Patients Have Better Outcomes Than Public Patients.

Introduction: Different outcomes in breast cancer have been reported for low and high socio-economic groups. We present data quantifying disparities between South African public and private patients.

Methods: Records of 240 consecutive patients treated in 2008 in a public versus 97 patients in a private health facility were reviewed for demographic and oncologic data.

Pharmacogenetics of Aromatase Inhibitors in Endocrine Responsive Breast Cancer: Lessons Learnt from Tamoxifen and CYP2D6 Genotyping.

Background: Genetics play a significant role in drug metabolism of endocrine therapy of breast cancer. These aspects have been studied extensively in patients on tamoxifen, but the pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibitors are less established. In contrast to the protective effect of tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors are linked with an increased risk for bone loss and fractures.

Postmenopausal Breast Cancer, Aromatase Inhibitors, and Bone Health: What the Surgeon Should Know.

Breast cancer, as the most common malignancy in women, remains a major public health issue despite countless advances across decades. Endocrine therapy is the cornerstone of treatment of the hormone-sensitive subtype of breast cancer. The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the postmenopausal women has extended the survival beyond that of Tamoxifen, but harbors a subset of side effects, most notably accelerated bone loss.