Mammographic breast density, hormones, and growth factors during continuous combined hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect on mammographic breast density of two different continuous combined regimens for hormone therapy.


METHODS
Randomized clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women without any previous history of breast disorder.


METHODS
The women received either estradiol valerate/dienogest or estradiol/norethisterone acetate. Mammograms and venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 6 months.


METHODS
Change in mammographic breast density. Correlations with levels of hormones, growth factors, and binding proteins.


RESULTS
An increase in mammographic density was recorded in approximately 50% of the women, and there were no differences between treatments. Increased density showed a positive correlation with estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin and showed a negative association to free T. Among hormonal factors, levels of free T were the most important for predicting increased density.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous combined hormone therapy with different progestogens has a marked impact on the breast.
Conner
Peter
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. peter.conner@ks.se
Svane
Gunilla
G
Azavedo
Edward
E
Söderqvist
Gunnar
G
Carlström
Kjell
K
Gräser
Thomas
T
Walter
Friedrich
F
von Schoultz
Bo
B
D001940:Breast / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004970:Estrone; D013739:Testosterone; C023635:dienogest; D004958:Estradiol; D009277:Nandrolone; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone