Ovarian Cysts in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Tamoxifen
Keywords:
Ovarian Cysts, Breast cancer, TamoxifenAbstract
Background : Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator is commonly used to treathormone receptor positive breast cancer. Prolonged tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer have been
reported to increase the incidence of functional ovarian cysts.
Aim : To study the frequency and characteristics of ovarian cysts in patients with hormone
receptor positive breast cancer taking tamoxifen.
Methods : A cross sectional study that included 183 patients with hormone receptor positive
breast cancer receiving tamoxifen for at least 6 months. Patients were examined by transvaginal
ultrasound to look for ovarian cysts which are defined as sonolucencies in the ovary with a diameter
of ＞30 mm
Results : The study shows that 22.4% (29/129) of patients taking tamoxifen have ovarian cysts.
Cysts size ranged from 30 – 66 mm., 62% of patients have single cyst, and, 69% have unilateral
cysts. All cysts are asymptomatic and have benign features on ultrasound. The cysts were most
commonly seen in young, premenopausal patients, and, in those who maintained menstruation
during treatment (p < 0.05).
Conclusions : Tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer is associated with increased incidence of
ovarian cysts which are mostly benign functional cysts and seen mostly in young premenopausal
women.
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