HORMONAL-THERAPY AND GENITAL-TRACT CANCER

The use of hormonal replacement therapy following genital tract cancer is often denied to women because of the fear of increasing the risk o f recurrence or new growth. The paucity of articles written on this su bject during the past decade is an indication of the attitude of the m edical profession to the needs of women suffering from symptoms of sex hormone deficiency. During 1994-1995 there were few articles publishe d on the use of hormonal therapy to treat menopausal symptoms followin g genital tract cancer. Several articles, however, reviewed the relati onship between hormones and genital tract cancer, some explored the va lue of antioestrogens in controlling recurrent or secondary disease, a nd a few others discussed the risk of developing uterine cancer when t amoxifen was used to manage postmenopausal breast cancer. Some suggest ions are made that will allow women suffering from symptoms of hormone deficiency to receive alternative regimens of hormonal therapy. Maint aining quality of life without reducing the potential length of life i s paramount in reaching a decision on the use of hormonal therapy foll owing genital tract cancer.