Tamoxifen-induced endometrial changes in postmenopausal women with breast carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of tamoxifen (TAM) on the endometrium in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A case control study of postmenopausal women with breast carcinoma, who were undergoing treatment in the Department of Radiotherapy and Surgery at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India was done. Thirty-five women who were on tamoxifen (20 mg/day) for a period of at least 6 months formed the study group. Thirty-three women who were not receiving tamoxifen, formed the control group. Subjects in both groups had a pelvic examination and transvaginal sonogram followed by endometrial biopsy.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference in the mean endometrial thickness between the study group and control group (7.8+/-6.4 mm vs. 4.0+/-2.0 mm, respectively) More women in the tamoxifen group had an endometrial thickness of >5 mm but the number of women with polyps or hyperplasia of the endometrium did not differ significantly between the two groups. There were no women with endometrial carcinoma in either group.

CONCLUSION

All patients on tamoxifen need to be evaluated by clinical examination annually. A transvaginal sonogram and endometrial biopsy/hysteroscopy may be performed on patients with abnormal vaginal bleeding, bloody discharge, staining or spotting.