When to start an aromatase inhibitor: Now or later?

Among women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer, the risk of recurrence, especially distant metastases, peaks 1–2 years postsurgery. Recent clinical trial evidence suggests that initial adjuvant therapy with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) can reduce this early risk of recurrence. According to the recently updated St Gallen consensus statement, initial AI therapy is the preferred strategy for adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:730–738. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.