Replacement therapy for breast cancer survivors. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, breast cancer survivors were not considered as candidates for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of the possibility that an occult metastatic site of disease might be activated, thus negatively influencing the outcome for the patient. METHODS: A retrospective review of 77 breast cancer survivors who have taken HRT was conducted. RESULTS: Seven recurrences were reported among the 77 patients studied in-depth, with correlations to stage, age, and node and receptor status. There have been no recurrences among the 33 additional patients who were placed on the study after the completion of this analysis. CONCLUSIONS: No significant adverse outcome was detected in this group of breast cancer survivors receiving HRT. Given the established benefits of HRT, a reappraisal of this subject is necessary, and a prospective randomized trial is essential.