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. 2005 Oct;61(4):313-5.
doi: 10.1016/S0377-1237(05)80052-8. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology

Sps Kochar  1 , P Arora  2 , A B Chattopadhyay  3
Affiliations

Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology

Sps Kochar et al. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.

Keywords: Endometrium; Tamoxifen; Transvaginal sonography.

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