Ovarian cyst formation in two pre-menopausal patients treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer

Hum Reprod. 1994 Aug;9(8):1427-9. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138723.

Abstract

Pre-menopausal tamoxifen treatment causes hyperoestrogen production and ovarian cyst formation. Two pre-menopausal breast cancer patients who were treated with tamoxifen developed both permanent supraphysiological oestrogen concentration and ovarian cysts. Serum oestrogen decreased to post-menopausal concentrations and ovarian cysts completely resolved during and following simultaneous treatment with tamoxifen and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). In pre-menopausal breast cancer patients, GnRHa may prevent possible side-effects of tamoxifen, such as ovarian cysts and supraphysiological oestrogen production.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Cysts / chemically induced*
  • Ovarian Cysts / prevention & control
  • Premenopause*
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use
  • Triptorelin Pamoate / administration & dosage
  • Triptorelin Pamoate / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Triptorelin Pamoate
  • Tamoxifen
  • Estradiol