What are some benefits and risks of taking aromatase inhibitors?

Benefits > downsides: Hormonal therapy has systemic benefits in er+ patients (similar to chemo), reduces local recurrence after breast conservation, and reduces the risk of second/new breast cancers. Head to head each of these is slightly better for ais than tamoxifen. Ais major side effects are menopausal symptoms, bone and joint symptoms (arthralgias), and decrease in bone density.

Aromatase inhibitor: The benefit is that some breast cancers respond to estrogen, lowering estrogen production at the site of the cancer with aromatase inhibitors has been proven to be an effective treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The side effects include an increased risk for developing osteoporosis and joint disorders such as arthritis, arthrosis and arthralgia.