Ahn. Ugwumadu et K. Harding, UTERINE LEIOMYOMATA AND ENDOMETRIAL PROLIFERATION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN TREATED WITH THE ANTIESTROGEN TAMOXIFEN, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 54(2), 1994, pp. 153-156
Two cases of fibroid growth and endometrial proliferation in postmenop
ausal women on tamoxifen (anti-oestrogen) therapy for breast cancer ar
e described. Oestrogen in association with growth factors may control
fibroid growth and differentiation. The possible mechanisms and conseq
uences of tamoxifen-induced fibroid growth are discussed. Oestrogen re
sponsive tissues demonstrate a differential and contrasting response t
o tamoxifen and caution should be exercised in the expansion of its cl
inical application. Women on long-term tamoxifen therapy may benefit f
rom ultrasound surveillance of their uterus and endometrium, with biop
sy in suspicious cases, as there is a paucity of data on malignant tra
nsformation of these benign lesions induced by tamoxifen therapy.