[Hormone therapy and breast cancer: a review].
OBJECTIVE
Tamoxifen as adjuvant hormonal therapy after hormonosensitive-breast cancer surgery is well established nowadays, as well as its efficacy in first-line therapy of advanced hormonosensitive breast cancers. Research of drugs which could be effective, with little toxicity, and having a positive impact on cardiovascular disease or bone is an important issue.


BACKGROUND
New drugs are in development or will soon be on the market to permit second or third lines of treatment with respect to effectiveness and quality of life, such as new anti-estrogens or selective estrogen receptors modulators or aromatase inhibitors. Their principal characteristics are reviewed through recent data.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention of breast cancer is a pertinent question and major publications are presented. Finally, the controversy about the possible reintroduction of replacement hormonal therapy after breast cancer will be questioned through trials.
Lucchi-Angellier
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Service d'oncologie, hôpital Fontenoy, BP 407, 28018 Chartres, France.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen