From the Research
Femara (letrozole) does not significantly impair wound healing in patients undergoing surgery, and generally does not need to be discontinued before surgical procedures. Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor primarily used in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Unlike some medications such as systemic corticosteroids or certain chemotherapy agents that directly interfere with tissue repair processes, letrozole's mechanism of action—blocking the conversion of androgens to estrogens—does not substantially impact the fundamental cellular processes involved in wound healing 1. While estrogen can play a role in wound healing by affecting inflammation and tissue regeneration, the modest reduction in estrogen levels caused by letrozole in postmenopausal women (who already have low estrogen levels) typically does not create clinically significant wound healing problems.
Some key points to consider:
- The effect of aromatase inhibitors on wound healing is not fully defined, but available evidence suggests that letrozole does not significantly impair wound healing 2.
- Individual patient factors such as nutritional status, presence of diabetes, or other medications may influence wound healing more significantly than letrozole itself 3.
- The use of letrozole in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is supported by clinical trial evidence, which suggests that initial adjuvant therapy with an aromatase inhibitor can reduce the early risk of recurrence 4.
- Recent studies have highlighted the importance of understanding the social determinants of health and their impact on wound care outcomes, as well as the potential benefits of alternative approaches such as telemedicine 3.
- Advanced techniques such as epidermal growth factor intralesional delivery have shown promise in promoting sustainable healing in chronic wounds, but their relevance to letrozole use is limited 5.
Overall, the current evidence suggests that letrozole can be safely continued in patients undergoing surgery, without significantly increasing the risk of wound complications. However, individual patient factors and specific surgical procedures should be taken into consideration, and discussion with both the oncologist and surgeon is advisable in high-risk cases.