The impact of hormone replacement therapy on the detection and stage of breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Patients who receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and subsequently develop breast cancer are more likely to be diagnosed by palpation than mammography and have a higher stage of cancer at initial diagnosis.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Two hundred ninety-two patients with breast cancer who were postmenopausal.


METHODS
Clinical examination, mammography, and definitive therapy.


METHODS
Hormone replacement therapy use, mode of cancer detection, tumor size, nodal status, stage, and survival.


RESULTS
Patients receiving HRT prior to diagnosis had significantly more incidences of mammographically detected tumors, ductal carcinoma in situ, T1 lesions, negative nodes, and better survival rates than nonusers.


CONCLUSIONS
A history of HRT use had only beneficial and no discernible adverse effects on breast cancer detection and outcomes. These effects of HRT seem to be due to the development of less aggressive tumors rather than earlier detection.
Cheek
Julie
J
Department of General Surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences University Portland, OR, USA. pommierr@ohsu.edu
Lacy
Judith
J
Toth-Fejel
SuEllen
S
Morris
Katherine
K
Calhoun
Kristine
K
Pommier
Rodney F
RF
D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010173:Palpation; D017698:Postmenopause; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors