Defining ovarian failure in amenorrheic young breast cancer patients.
At present, there is no gold standard test for the investigation of ovarian function in pre-menopausal breast cancer patients who develop amenorrhea after chemotherapy. Clinical, biochemical and biophysical investigations continue to be utilized in clinical practice, despite concerns regarding their predictive value for menopause. The resulting uncertainty about a woman's actual menopausal status has important consequences for patient management. These include choice of appropriate endocrine therapy, assessment of residual ovarian function and its effect on breast cancer recurrence, fertility issues and the prediction of the likelihood of conception. It is hoped that the development of novel surrogates may allow clinicians to more accurately assess menopausal status and thereby facilitate tailored and individualised therapy for this common group of patients.
Amir
Eitan
E
Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada. eitan.amir@uhn.on.ca
Freedman
Orit
O
Allen
Lisa
L
Colgan
Terence
T
Clemons
Mark
M
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000187:drug effects*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents