Carcinoma of the endometrium in patients treated with tibolone.
BACKGROUND
Tibolone is a synthetic steroid with estrogenic, androgenic and progestogenic properties, which has been used as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy in several countries. One of its outstanding features is that it does not stimulate endometrial proliferation.


METHODS
We report four cases of histologically diagnosed adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in women using tibolone.


CONCLUSIONS
Although we do not suggest causality between the use of tibolone and the development of endometrial malignancy, the association described should alert physicians to thorough investigation in patients presenting with vaginal bleeding while on tibolone, despite the absence of endometrial thickness by sonogram.
Yazigi
Roberto
R
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. ryazigi@clinicalascondes.cl
Sahid
Solange
S
Contreras
Luis
L
Rodriguez
Tulio
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000368:Aged; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; C027385:tibolone