Tamoxifen Treatment and Oestrogen Receptor Status in Contralateral Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Kaas R, Peterse J L, Hart A A M, Voogd A C, Rutgers E J T, van Leeuwen F E
Primary Institution: The Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis
Hypothesis
Does tamoxifen treatment influence the oestrogen receptor status in metachronous contralateral breast cancer?
Conclusion
Tamoxifen-treated patients have a higher proportion of ER-negative second breast cancers, but this does not significantly impact overall survival.
Supporting Evidence
- Tamoxifen users had a higher rate of ER-negative second breast cancers compared to nonusers.
- Overall survival rates were similar between tamoxifen users and nonusers.
- Tamoxifen treatment was associated with a significant increase in ER-negative tumors in the contralateral breast.
Takeaway
This study found that women who took tamoxifen for breast cancer are more likely to develop ER-negative breast cancer in the other breast, but it doesn't seem to affect how long they live.
Methodology
The study compared ER status and survival in two groups of postmenopausal patients with bilateral breast cancer, one treated with tamoxifen and one not.
Limitations
The treated and nontreated groups were not fully comparable regarding other tumor characteristics.
Participant Demographics
Postmenopausal women treated for primary operable invasive breast cancer between 1984 and 1995.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.045
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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