Tamoxifen and ovarian cysts: a prospective study.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
; 100(1): 77-80, 2001 Dec 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11728662
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To prospectively follow a group of women with breast cancer on tamoxifen for the development of ovarian cysts.METHODS:
72 women were followed every 6 months with pelvic examination and vaginal ultrasound. Chi square and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS:
The duration of treatment was 31.5+/-20 months. The mean age was 51.2+/-9.8 years. 55.6% were post-menopausal. Out of 72 women, 18 (25%) developed ovarian cysts. The mean age of women who developed ovarian cysts was significantly lower than in those who did not (47.0+/-7.0 and 52.5+/-10.2 years, respectively, P=0.03), however, the mean duration of treatment was not significantly different (33.3+/-17.4 and 29.3+/-20 months, respectively, P=0.45). Out of 32, 14 (43.8%) pre-menopausal and out of 40, 4 (10%) post-menopausal women developed ovarian cysts (P=0.003). They developed the cysts after an average duration of 33.3+/-18 and 50.7+/-6.2 months, respectively (P=0.7). The average diameter of the cysts was 2.8+/-1.2 cm. All cysts were simple except for one pre-menopausal women. All the cysts in post-menopausal women resolved spontaneously. One pre-menopausal patient had a multi-loculated cyst, was operated and had a serious cystadenoma. In nine patients, the cysts resolved spontaneously and in three after discontinuation of tamoxifen, and one patient was lost to follow-up. All cysts were asymptomatic.CONCLUSION:
Ovarian cysts frequently develop in women with breast cancer on tamoxifen. The majority of the cysts resolve spontaneously, therefore an expectant management with follow-up ultrasonography is recommended.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ovarian Cysts
/
Tamoxifen
/
Estrogen Antagonists
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article