title: Tamoxifen-induced thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/microl) is a rare side effect of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). We report a case of thrombocytopenia that developed 6 months after tamoxifen was given as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. The patient received no concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The thrombocytopenia resolved after the tamoxifen was stopped, reappeared promptly when the tamoxifen was restarted, and resolved again after the second withdrawal, at which time anastrozole (Arimidex) was substituted for the tamoxifen. The patient's platelet count remained normal for more than 6 months thereafter.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomakos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Buchholz
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kudelka
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen