Ultrasonography of the endometrium and endometrial pathology under tamoxifen treatment

Purpose: The estrogenic effects of tamoxifen on the endometrium and the vag inal epithelium are evaluated. Method: 211 postmenopausal women were examined (tamoxifen group: 176 estrog en-receptor positive breast cancer patients; control group I: 35 estrogen-r eceptor negative breast cancer patients; control group II: 50 women without boast cancer taking no hormones). We determined the endometrial thickness and the maturation index (MI). Person's chi-square-test and the t-test for independent pendent samples were used. Results: In the tamoxifen group, the mean endometrial thickness and the MI were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than in the control groups. No evide nce of correlation in duration of tamoxifen intake and endometrial thicknes s was found (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.4773; p = 0.0001). The ma turation index significantly (p < 0.0001) increased under tamoxifen therapy . There was no correlation in the maturation index and endometrial thicknes s (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.1649; p = 0.169). The histological clarification (N = 47; endometrial thickness greater than 8 mm) revealed 3 neoplasms, 9 endometrial polyps, 2 glandular-cystic hyperplasias and in 32 cases atrophic endometrium. Conclusion: An apparent increase of endometrial thickness and the maturatio n of the vaginal epithelium caused by the estrogenic effect of tamoxifen wa s demonstrated.