The effects of tamoxifen on the female genital tract

Tamoxifen is an effective and relatively non-toxic compound used in palliative and adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. More recently its preventive role in breast cancer has also been demonstrated. However, tamoxifen use is related to some increase in the risk of endometrial cancer and to a signifi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancer treatment reviews 2004-05, Vol.30 (3), p.291-301
Main Authors: Senkus-Konefka, Elżbieta, Konefka, Tomasz, Jassem, Jacek
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Oral
Adult
Aged
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy
Breast Neoplasms - pathology
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Endometrial Neoplasms - chemically induced
Endometrial Neoplasms - epidemiology
Endometrium
Endometrium - drug effects
Endometrium - pathology
Female
Female genital tract
Genitalia, Female - drug effects
Genitalia, Female - pathology
Humans
Incidence
Mastectomy - methods
Middle Aged
Monitoring, Physiologic
Neoplasm Staging
Prognosis
Receptors, Estrogen - drug effects
Risk Assessment
Survival Rate
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen - administration & dosage
Tamoxifen - adverse effects
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Summary:Tamoxifen is an effective and relatively non-toxic compound used in palliative and adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. More recently its preventive role in breast cancer has also been demonstrated. However, tamoxifen use is related to some increase in the risk of endometrial cancer and to a significant rise in the incidence of benign endometrial pathologies. The activity of tamoxifen against breast cancer is mainly achieved by blocking the oestrogen receptor, whereas the effect of this compound on the female genital tract is mostly related to its agonistic properties. Despite numerous studies no effective methods of tamoxifen-user surveillance have been developed and currently no active screening for endometrial cancer, apart from yearly gynaecological examination, is recommended in these patients. In other parts of the genital tract, tamoxifen increases the risk of some benign conditions and may cause difficulties in the interpretation of cervical smears. Further studies are warranted to develop more effective surveillance and methods decreasing the detrimental effects of tamoxifen on the female genital tract.
ISSN:0305-7372
1532-1967
DOI:10.1016/j.ctrv.2003.09.004