Letrozole Side effects-- throaty

miss344

Have been taking letrozole for about 4 months after DCIS (w/clear margins), and preventative radiation treatment. Seem to be free of noticeable side effects except it appears to cause a cough and a 'drippy' feeling in the back of my throat. I confirmed this by going off it for 2 weeks, when these symptoms disappeared. Has anyone else had cough, sore or scratchy throat. Found anything that helps? Thanks.

tigglewinkle

miss344I have had a cough but attributed it to radiation SE since it was my left breast. Now I wonder because it might have started after getting on the letrozole. I mentioned it to my RO and she provided an order for a CT scan. Please keep me posted, as I know this post is a bit dated. Thanks!

miss344

I'm pretty convinced letrozole is the culprit because the cough/scratchy throat corresponds exactly

to the timing of it. My doc has also listened to my lungs and they are clear. I'm sticking with it for now

unless it gets worse or keeps me up at night (which it doesn't right now…)

tigglewinkle

My CT scan shows pneumonitis due to radiation, or, according to the report pneumonia is another possible cause. Not likely since I was never sick, except for the cough. I was put on Medrol—steroids for 5 days.

I find this whole thing disturbing because I registered my fear to my RO about my lungs before I even started radiation since they are my Achilles heel. I am also posting this study since it pertains to letrozole, and I do still wonder if that is the cause….

https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(23)03136-7/fulltext

https://auctoresonline.org/article/bronchiolitis-obliterans-organizing-pneumonia-after-breast-cancer-radiotherapy-and-letrozole-a-case-report-and-literature-review#:~:text=Bronchiolitis%20obliterans%20organizing%20pneumonia%20occurs,may%20induce%20iatrogenic%20organizing%20pneumonia.

miss344

Thank you for posting that article, it is very interesting. I do remember them mentioning pneumonitis as a possible side effect of radiation — not sure if the likelihood was affected by number of treatments or size of the area. I hope the Medrol is effective for you ( I believe that is the standard treatment.) I still have the occasional throat-clearing drippy cough feel but it doesn't seem to be getting worse. I understand your feeling — you want to do everything you can to treat and prevent recurrence — the side effects can be worrisome but hopefully all resolves.