Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology
Kochar, S.; Arora, P.; Chattopadhyay, A.B.
Medical Journal Armed Forces India 61(4): 313-315
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0377-1237 PMID: 27407795 DOI: 10.1016/s0377-1237(05)80052-8Document Number: 258736
Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium. 104 patients on tamoxifen for more than six months were subjected to a clinical examination and transvaginal sonography. Patients with endometrial thickness > 8 mm were further evaluated by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. 35(34%) patients were symptomatic. The average endometrial thickness was 11.2 mm which correlated with duration of tamoxifen use. 27(48%) patients had abnormal hysteroscopic findings. 35 (63%) of endometrial biopsies revealed abnormal endometrium. One case of endometrial carcinoma was diagnosed. The results were statistically analysed. There is a significant association between symptomatic status and endometrial thickness and duration of tamoxifen use. All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.