Hormonal treatment of endometrial cancer: past, present and future

The concept that hormonal therapy may be useful in the treatment of endometrial cancer antedated the pharmaceutical availability of progestational compounds. By 1959, initial studies demonstrated the ability of progestins to reverse endometrial hyperplasias. Thereafter, progestins and other hormonal agents have been used in various roles as treatment for endometrial cancers. This chapter reviews the use of hormonal agents for the treatment of primary and metastatic/recurrent endometrial cancer, as well as such treatment in an adjuvant setting. Major problems in enhancing the efficacy of endocrine therapy of cancers arising from hormonally responsive tissues are also considered. The regulations of steroid-hormone receptor expression in endometrial and breast cancers continues to be an active area of research interest.