The influence of tamoxifen on the maturation index of vaginal epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
The estrogenic effect of tamoxifen on vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women with breast cancer was evaluated over a period of more than 48 months.


METHODS
The tamoxifen group consisted of 118 postmenopausal patients, control group I of 30 postmenopausal women with breast cancer receiving no tamoxifen or hormonal replacement therapy and control group II of 40 postmenopausal women without breast cancer taking no hormones. We determined the maturation index of the vaginal epithelium. Pearson's chi-square-test and t-test for independent samples were used in the statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The maturation index increased under tamoxifen therapy within the first 24 months from 0.4026 before taking tamoxifen (n = 64) to 0.6066 (n = 162, p < 0.0001) and in the following 24 months to 0.6325 (n = 122, p < 0.0001). Under tamoxifen intake of more than 48 months, an additional small increase of the maturation index to 0.6735 (n = 42, p < 0.0001) could be noticed. The maturation index in the tamoxifen group was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in the control groups (control group I: 0.3975, p < 0.0001; control group II: 0.4102, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
An apparent increase in the maturation of the vaginal epithelium caused by the estrogenic effect of tamoxifen could be demonstrated.
Friedrich
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Mink
D
D
Villena-Heinsen
C
C
Woll-Hermann
A
A
Wagner
S
S
Schmidt
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears