title: Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  104 patients on tamoxifen for more than six months were subjected to a clinical examination and transvaginal sonography. Patients with endometrial thickness > 8 mm were further evaluated by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  35(34%) patients were symptomatic. The average endometrial thickness was 11.2 mm which correlated with duration of tamoxifen use. 27(48%) patients had abnormal hysteroscopic findings. 35 (63%) of endometrial biopsies revealed abnormal endometrium. One case of endometrial carcinoma was diagnosed. The results were statistically analysed. There is a significant association between symptomatic status and endometrial thickness and duration of tamoxifen use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.
authors.affiliation: Reader (Obstetric and Gynaecology), Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.
authors.forename: Sps
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kochar
authors.affiliation: Director General Medical Services (Navy), Naval Headquarters, New Delhi.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Ex-Commandant, CH (NC), c/o 56 APO.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
keywords: Endometrium; Tamoxifen; Transvaginal sonography