[Tamoxifen: does a wider range of indications require more careful monitoring?].
Two patients, premenopausal women aged 48 years and 37 years, who were treated with tamoxifen following a mammary carcinoma operation, experienced abdominal complaints, hot flushes, vaginal discharge, an irregular menstrual cycle and/or concern about the increased risk of ovarian carcinoma. Transvaginal ultrasonography of the ovaries and laboratory tests indicated ovarian overstimulation. Both patients temporarily stopped using tamoxifen; in one of the patients both ovaries were ablated. The range of indications for treatment with tamoxifen has in recent years been extended to premenopausal patient groups and the length of treatment has been increased from two to five years. We recommend more extensive checks when prescribing tamoxifen to premenopausal patients in view of the possible adverse effects of ovarian stimulation associated with this treatment.
Vogel
N E
NE
Afd. Obstetrie en Gynaecologie, Isala Klinieken, locatie Weezenlanden, Postbus 10.500, 8000 GH Zwolle.
ter Brugge
H G
HG
de Graaf
J C
JC
Pierik
E G
EG
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017697:Premenopause; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen