Nb. Kumar et al., WEIGHT-GAIN ASSOCIATED WITH ADJUVANT TAMOXIFEN THERAPY IN STAGE-I ANDSTAGE-II BREAST-CANCER - FACT OR ARTIFACT, Breast cancer research and treatment, 44(2), 1997, pp. 135-143
There is a perception that tamoxifen causes weight gain in breast canc
er patients. The purpose of this research study was to determine if we
ight gain is associated with tamoxifen therapy and to observe the impa
ct of weight gain on recurrence and survival. Prognostic indicators, c
hanges in weight, and disease status from diagnosis to the end of trea
tment were studied in 200 consecutive Stage I and II breast cancer pat
ients, not receiving systemic chemotherapy, admitted from 1986 to the
present, with observation periods ranging from 3-5 years, A mean weigh
t gain of 1.2 Kgs was seen in all patients; however, weight gain was n
ot significantly different for those receiving tamoxifen vs. those not
receiving tamoxifen, (P = 0.66, CI 95 % for the difference -1.8 Kgs t
o +1.2 Kgs). Weight gain during treatment with tamoxifen was not corre
lated with treatment duration or with recurrence or survival. Age at d
iagnosis was positively correlated to weight gain in all groups. Our d
ata failed to show that tamoxifen is associated with weight gain. The
moderate weight gain observed in this patient population is comparable
to the general aging disease-free population and may not be treatment
-related. These findings may help to alleviate some concerns of both p
hysicians and patients when tamoxifen is the drug of choice for adjuva
nt therapy.