Postmenopausal bleeding from unusual endometrial polyps in women on chronic tamoxifen therapy.
There are recent reports of postmenopausal bleeding from endometrial polyps in women receiving tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer. We describe four additional patients who presented with vaginal bleeding, and emphasize the pathology. These polyps demonstrated cystically dilated glands in all cases and stromal decidualization in two; in one instance, metastatic breast carcinoma was present in the polyp. The mechanisms by which tamoxifen may affect the development of these polyps are discussed.
Corley
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
Rowe
J
J
Curtis
M T
MT
Hogan
W M
WM
Noumoff
J S
JS
Livolsi
V A
VA
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*
D013629:Tamoxifen