WEIGHT-GAIN ASSOCIATED WITH ADJUVANT TAMOXIFEN THERAPY IN STAGE-I ANDSTAGE-II BREAST-CANCER - FACT OR ARTIFACT

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.