Mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterine corpus associated with tamoxifen therapy: a report of six cases and a review of tamoxifen-associated endometrial lesions

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1996 Jul;15(3):222-9. doi: 10.1097/00004347-199607000-00006.

Abstract

Six consultation cases of mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus were encountered in women who were receiving adjuvant tamoxifen therapy for carcinoma of the breast. To our knowledge, only one previous similar case has been reported. The women, who were 48-76 years of age, had received tamoxifen for periods of 6 months to 4 years (mean 2.7 years) in five of the cases; the duration of tamoxifen therapy in the sixth case is unknown. All of the tumors were polypoid endometrial masses that superficially invaded the myometrium in two cases. The microscopic appearance of the tumors was similar to that of previously described uterine mullerian adenosarcomas. These and other recent observations indicate that tamoxifen treatment may be complicated by uterine neoplasms other than endometrial adenocarcinoma. These findings also support previous observations that prolonged exogenous or endogenous hyperestrinism may lead to the development of mesenchymal and mixed epithelial-mesenchymal tumors of the uterus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosarcoma / chemically induced*
  • Adenosarcoma / therapy
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / chemically induced*
  • Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / therapy
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Tamoxifen