Abstract

PIP: Existing data indicate that high levels of endogenous estrogens, in particular estrone, predispose to endometrial cancer. Estrogen preparations came into use in the 1930s, and evidence has been accumulating to incriminate them also in cases of endometrial cancer. A recent rise in the incidence of endometrial cancer has followed wider use of these hormones. The risk among postmenopausal estrogen users has been estimated to be 4-8 times the 1/1000/year of postmenopausal nonusers. If estrogens are prescribed to menopausal and postmenopausal patients, such patients should be monitored for the development of endometrial carcinoma. Whether they should be given estrogens at all is still controversial.