What conditions is letrozole used to treat?
Letrozole is most commonly used to treat hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal people. It works by lowering estrogen levels, which can slow or stop the growth of estrogen-fueled tumors.
It is used for:
- Early-stage breast cancer after surgery (as part of adjuvant therapy) in postmenopausal patients to reduce the risk of cancer coming back
- Advanced or metastatic hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal patients
- Breast cancer treatment in certain situations when the cancer has progressed after other hormone therapies
How does letrozole work?
Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. In postmenopausal people, much of the body’s estrogen is produced when the enzyme aromatase converts other hormones into estrogen. Letrozole blocks aromatase, which reduces estrogen levels throughout the body.
Is letrozole used for anything besides breast cancer?
The primary, widely established use is breast cancer. Any other uses (if they exist in a specific country or clinical setting) would be more limited and depend on local prescribing practices.
If you tell me your context (for example, “breast cancer,” “infertility,” or “someone asked me about it”), I can narrow the answer to the most relevant indication.
Is letrozole only for postmenopausal patients?
Clinically, letrozole is especially used in postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer because the drug targets estrogen production in that setting. Use in other populations is determined case-by-case by clinicians and depends on the specific indication.