Endometrial tubal metaplasia in a young puerperal woman after breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Tamoxifen is the usual endocrine (anti-estrogen) therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. Previous studies have suggested an increased prevalence of endometrial diseases after treatment with tamoxifen.


METHODS
The authors report a case of 38-year-old woman with diagnosis of endometrial polyp and tubal metaplasia, during puerperium and after micropapillary ductal breast cancer surgery, 5 years of tamoxifen treatment, spontaneous pregnancy without complications and full-term vaginal delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Tamoxifen is a safe and reliable treatment of breast cancer, but data suggest an association with endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, metaplasia and carcinoma. One of the most common types of endometrial metaplasia is ciliated tubal metaplasia. It is generally known that endometrial tubal metaplasia is a benign disease. However studies propose endometrial tubal metaplasia to be a potential premalignant endometrial lesion and its association with endometrial hyperplasia and well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma. We propose close monitoring of patients taking tamoxifen and prompt evaluation of any uterine bleeding or pelvic complaint or abnormal TVUS images.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza", University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital Rome, Italy.
Luisa
L
Di Benedetto
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza", University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital Rome, Italy.
Valentina
V
Giovanale
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza", University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital Rome, Italy.
Donatella
D
Caserta
D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D008408:Mastectomy; D008679:Metaplasia; D011127:Polyps / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen
Breast cancer; endometrial polyp; tamoxifen; tubal metaplasia