The effect of tamoxifen on cervical squamous maturation in Papanicolaou stained cervical smears of post-menopausal women.
Using cervical smears obtained as part of routine gynaecological examinations, a retrospective study of the effects of the drug tamoxifen on squamous epithelial maturation of the cervix of post-menopausal women being treated for advanced breast cancer was made. The degree of squamous epithelial maturation was quantitated by using the Maturation Index and the Maturation Value. Although tamoxifen is a synthetic, non-steroidal compound classified as anti-oestrogenic, the findings indicate that this drug commonly produces a level of squamous maturation indicative of oestrogenic stimulation in Papanicolaou stained cervical smears from post-menopausal patients receiving this drug. Knowledge of the oestrogenic effect of tamoxifen in the cervix can obviate clinical concern about endometrial carcinoma.
Eells
T P
TP
Department of Pathology, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, New York.
Alpern
H D
HD
Grzywacz
C
C
MacMillan
R W
RW
Olson
J E
JE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D013629:Tamoxifen