[Endometrial cancer and tamoxifen. Discussion apropos of a series of cases]

Bull Cancer. 1997 Jan;84(1):51-60.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Tamoxifen is widely used nowadays in the management of breast cancer, having established its efficacy in this indication, especially for postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast tumours. However, tamoxifen has recently been recognized as carcinogenic for the human endometrium, probably with an effect of duration of treatment. Moreover, this drug may be associated with the occurrence of endometrial cancers of unusual histological types and/or of a more aggressive nature. We describe a case series of 11 patients who developed such cancers after having previously received tamoxifen for breast cancer. Several assumptions on the mechanisms underlying the attributed carcinogenic properties of tamoxifen, for the endometrium and potentially for other organs, are discussed on the basis of current knowledge.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / etiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen