Screening by Ultrasonography for Endometrial Carcinoma in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients under Adjuvant Tamoxifen

Seven-hundred thirty-seven asymptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer patients under long-term adjuvant tamoxifen therapy (average, 50 months) were screened by endometrial ultrasonography. Abnormal endometrial thickness (6 mm or larger) was observed in 209 subjects and was significantly associated with patients’ age and duration of tamoxifen therapy. Outpatient endometrial biopsy was recommended in presence of abnormal endometrial thickness: 25 subjects refused biopsy, whereas 76 were not biopsied because of cervical stenosis and were followed-up by repeat sonography. Of 108 biopsied subjects, one case of endometrial carcinoma (as expected in the screened cohort according to age-specific incidence rates provided by the regional cancer registry) and one case of endometrial hyperplasia were histologically confirmed, whereas endometrial atrophy was evident in the remaining cases. No other case of endometrial carcinoma has been recorded so far in the studied cohort according to the local cancer registry and no further change of the endometrium has been observed at sonographic follow-up. The cohort will be followed-up by repeat annual endometrial sonography. Thus far, we did not find evidence of increased prevalence of endometrial pathology (carcinoma or hyperplasia) which may be ascribed to tamoxifen therapy. The apparent increase in endometrial thickness observed at sonography might be explained by tamoxifen-induced changes of endometrial stroma and myometrium, misinterpreted as hyperplasia, while causing no real epithelial disease.     

Ovarian Histopathology in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Tamoxifen

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine ovarian histopathology in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients undergoing oophorectomy.Methods. We reviewed the records and ovarian histopathology of 152 breast cancer patients who underwent oophorectomy at a single institution between January 1980 and October 1996. At the time of oophorectomy, 99 patients had never received tamoxifen, 44 patients were currently receiving tamoxifen, and 9 patients had previously received tamoxifen. Patient demographic and medical data and indication for oophorectomy were examined. Ovarian histopathology was classified as normal, functional ovarian cyst, benign ovarian tumor, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, and metastatic cancer.Results. Patient characteristics and indication for oophorectomy did not differ significantly based on tamoxifen exposure. There was no difference in the occurrence of benign ovarian tumors, functional ovarian cysts, or metastatic breast cancer based on tamoxifen exposure. Tamoxifen-treated patients were less likely to have ovarian cancer, 0 of 53 patients (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0%, 6.7%) compared with 10 of 99 patients (95% CI: 5.0%, 17.8%) patients not receiving tamoxifen (P = 0.015). Endometriosis was slightly more common in patients currently receiving tamoxifen, but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions. In women undergoing oophorectomy, there was no evidence that tamoxifen exposure was associated with an increase in benign or malignant primary or metastatic ovarian neoplasm or in functional ovarian cysts. Further study is necessary to better define any association between tamoxifen and endometriosis and the effect of tamoxifen on ovarian cancer risk.     

Hysteroscopic Endometrial Resection in Women Treated With Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Provides Definitive Diagnosis and Effective Long-Term Therapy

We evaluated resectoscopic surgery for definitive diagnosis and long-term therapy in 16 symptomatic tamoxifen-treated women with breast cancer who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding and/or intrauterine anomalies. Seven pre-menopausal women had benign pre- and post-operative endometrial biopsy, and 4 had benign polyps. At a median of 7 years of follow-up (range 2–8 y), all remained amenorrheic. Of 9 post-menopausal women, pre-operative biopsy was inadequate in 4, benign endometrium was found in 4, and non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia was found in 1. Post-operatively, all had benign pathology, 8 having polyp and 1 leiomyoma. At a median follow-up of 7 years (range 2–13 y), all were amenorrheic, with no recurrence of breast cancer or uterine pathology.     

Limited Value of Sonohysterography for Endometrial Screening in Asymptomatic, Postmenopausal Patients Treated with Tamoxifen

Objectives. Sonohysterography (SHG) has been proposed as a useful tool for the surveillance of the endometrium in patients receiving tamoxifen. This study aimed to assess the value of SHG in asymptomatic patients who would have been biopsy candidates because of abnormal transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) results.Methods. The study population included postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen who had asymptomatic abnormalities at TVUS (endometrial thickness ≥8 mm or endometrial echo not adequately visualized). SHG was performed with an Aloka SSD 680 system using a 5-MHz vaginal probe, with sterile saline solution as contrast medium.Results. Forty-one patients entered the study. A regular endometrial echo was identified by SHG in 9 patients (21.9%). Histology was obtained in the remaining 32 patients with positive (n = 27, 65.8%) or unsuccessful (n = 5, 12.2%) SHG. Benign polyps (n = 15, 36.6%) and endometrial atrophy (n = 14, 34.1%) were the most common findings; 3 patients (7.3%) had simple hyperplasia.Conclusions. Breast cancer patients with asymptomatic, tamoxifen-associated TVUS abnormalities have little additional benefit from SHG. More than remain candidates for biopsy, which usually yields benign or insignificant findings.     

Quality of Life and Climacteric Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women Receiving Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

ObjectiveTo assess quality of life and climacteric symptoms for post-menopausal women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer.MethodsA prospective observational study of women treated at the Mastology Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was conducted between 2015 and 2019. Post-menopausal patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and who were experiencing climacteric symptoms were selected. These patients had undergone surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy more than one year prior and were receiving tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor. A total of 57 women were recruited and during visits completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index (KI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life version-bref (WHOQOL-bref) scale. Repeated measures ANOVA, and Friedman and Pearson tests were conducted.ResultsPatients had a mean age of 54.4 ± 5.9 years, 86% had ductal carcinoma, 98% had undergone surgery, 70% had received chemotherapy, and 96% had received radiotherapy. Scores on the KI (P < 0.001) and WHOQOL-bref scale (P < 0.046) had improved by the 6-month follow-up. Correlation of the KI and WHOQOL-bref scales showed that less intense climacteric symptoms were associated with higher scores on quality of life domains, and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe correlation of the scales showed that reduction in climacteric symptoms is associated with significant improvements in quality of life measures.     

Uterine Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor in a Patient on Long-Term Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer

A case of malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the uterus, heterologous type, in an 83-year-old woman on tamoxifen (TAM) therapy for 9 years for breast cancer is presented. Benign endometrial polyps were diagnosed on endometrial curettings for postmenopausal bleeding after the patient had been on TAM for 5 years. Recurrent postmenopausal bleeding developed 4 years later. Endometrial curettings and hysterectomy revealed a 10-cm polypoid malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) and endometrial polyps. There was no invasion of the myometrium or endocervix and no evidence of metastatic tumor in 13 pelvic lymph nodes, peritoneal washings, or omentum. TAM has been associated with the development of endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma possibly mediated through its agonistic estrogenic properties. Only one other case of MMMT arising in patients on TAM therapy has been previously reported, but may also be a consequence of the estrogenic effects of TAM therapy.     

Gynaecological Complications of Women Treated with Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer

Summary: We present 6 cases illustrating some of the gynaecological complications associated with tamoxifen treatment of women with breast cancer. The first 2 represent cases of myometrial hypertrophy secondary to tamoxifen use, a postmenopausal woman and a premenopausal women with recurrent carcinoma of the breast. The third is a case of probable ovulation induction in a perimenopausal woman with recurrent breast cancer who was commenced on tamoxifen 20 mg daily. The other 3 cases illustrate some of the endometrial effects associated with tamoxifen therapy in women with a history of breast cancer, namely cystic glandular hyperplasia, endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.     

Ultrasound Scoring of Endometrial Pattern for Fast-track Identification or Exclusion of Endometrial Cancer in Women with Postmenopausal Bleeding

Study Objective

To evaluate the risk of endometrial cancer (REC) scoring system for the prediction of high and low probability of endometrial cancer (EC) in women with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB).

绝经后阴道出血患者诊断性刮宫前B超检测子宫内膜的价值

目的：评估绝经后阴道出血患者应用Ｂ超检测子宫内膜，以减少不必要的诊断性刮宫术（诊刮术）的价值。方法：对１９２例绝经后阴道出血患者，于诊刮术前行Ｂ超检查，测量子宫大小及子宫内膜厚度，然后进行分段诊刮术，标本送病理检查。结果：７７例内膜厚度≤４ｍｍ者中，７４例（９６．１％）子宫内膜属生理性改变，３例为内膜癌；１１５例子宫内膜厚度≥５ｍｍ者中，９２例（８０．０％）子宫内膜属病理性改变，其中５９例（５１．３％）为内膜癌。结论：高分辨阴道Ｂ超检测，可作为绝经后出血患者进行诊刮术前的一种筛选手段，当超声检测内膜厚度≤４ｍｍ时，可考虑避免诊刮术。     

Breast Cancer Development in Transsexual Subjects Receiving Cross-Sex Hormone Treatment

IntroductionTranssexual people receive cross-sex hormones as part of their treatment, potentially inducing hormone-sensitive malignancies.AimTo examine the occurrence of breast cancer in a large cohort of Dutch male and female transsexual persons, also evaluating whether the epidemiology accords with the natal sex or the new sex.Main Outcome MeasureNumber of people with breast cancer between 1975 and 2011.MethodsWe researched the occurrence of breast cancer among transsexual persons 18–80 years with an exposure to cross-sex hormones between 5 to >30 years. Our study included 2,307 male-to-female (MtF) transsexual persons undergoing androgen deprivation and estrogen administration (52,370 person-years of exposure), and 795 female-to-male (FtM) subjects receiving testosterone (15,974 total years of exposure).ResultsAmong MtF individuals one case was encountered, as well as a probable but not proven second case. The estimated rate of 4.1 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8–13.0) was lower than expected if these two cases are regarded as female breast cancer, but within expectations if viewed as male breast cancer. In FtM subjects, who were younger and had shorter exposure to cross-sex hormones compared with the MtF group, one breast cancer case occurred. This translated into a rate of 5.9 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 0.5–27.4), again lower than expected for female breast cancer but within expected norms for male breast cancer.ConclusionsThe number of people studied and duration of hormone exposure are limited but it would appear that cross-sex hormone administration does not increase the risk of breast cancer development, in either MtF or FtM transsexual individuals. Breast carcinoma incidences in both groups are comparable to male breast cancers. Cross-sex hormone treatment of transsexual subjects does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of malignant breast development. Gooren LJ, van Trotsenburg MAA, Giltay EJ, and van Diest PJ. Breast cancer development in transsexual subjects receiving cross-sex hormone treatment. J Sex Med 2013;10:3129–3134.     

Current Considerations for Breast Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients

In the next year, approximately 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States [1]. The majority of these women will be recommended partial or total mastectomy as a component of their cancer treatment. The goal of breast reconstruction is to rebuild and/or reshape the breast mound to correct the mastectomy defect for physical and psychological reasons. There are a number of reconstructive options available to patients who desire breast reconstruction, including implant-based procedures, autologous tissue reconstructions, or a combination. Additionally, oncoplastic procedures are a recent advance in the field of breast-conserving therapies that further refines our ability to resect breast cancer while preserving the form of the breast. Because planning the reconstruction depends on the type of resection performed and the amount of tissue remaining after mastectomy, the breast surgeon, reconstructive surgeon, and the patient collectively should discuss reconstructive goals and how these can be achieved after the patient’s oncologic surgery.     

林奇综合征患者子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌的筛查与预防

患有林奇综合征(Lynch syndrome,LS)的妇女终生患子宫内膜癌和卵巢癌风险大幅增加.而子宫内膜癌或卵巢癌可以是LS患者的首发恶性肿瘤,也可以是第二原发恶性肿瘤.LS相关子宫内膜癌主要类型是子宫内膜样腺癌.近年来,有关LS相关子宫内膜癌及卵巢癌的筛查研究较少,主要是通过门诊子宫内膜活检、微卫星高不稳定性(mi...     

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy versus Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy in Endometrial Cancer: Surgical and Survival Outcomes

Study ObjectiveTo compare surgical and survival outcomes of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) or laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) ± lymphadenectomy.DesignRetrospective, nonrandomized clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingTwo tertiary care academic medical centers.PatientsPatients with EC treated by TLH or LAVH from 1998 through 2006.InterventionsTLH and LAVH were performed in 80 and 24 patients, respectively. Patient demographics and clinical variables were collected, and surgical and survival outcomes were determined.Measurements and Main ResultsMedian operating time was significantly higher for patients undergoing LAVH than for those undergoing TLH (212.5 and 183.5 minutes, respectively; p = .039). EBL was also greater in patients undergoing LAVH (median 220 mL) compared with those undergoing TLH (median100 mL; p = .001). After a median follow-up time of 51.5 months, there was no difference in recurrence or survival rates between the groups.ConclusionEarly-stage EC can be treated effectively with either TLH or LAVH. TLH patients may experience shorter operating times and less blood loss. When performed by experienced laparoscopists, TLH may be more feasible than LAVH in this cohort of patients.