Abstract

POLICIANO, Catarina et al. Menopause hormone therapy and breast cancer: a case series. Acta Obstet Ginecol Port [online]. 2016, vol.10, n.3, pp.201-207. ISSN 1646-5830.

Overview and Aims: Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) has been associated with mammographic changes and increased risk of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of mammographic changes and breast cancer in women undergoing MHT. Population and Methods: Retrospective study with a series of women undergoing MHT between January 2009 and December 2013 divided in three groups: unopposed estrogen (E, n = 28), combined estrogen plus progestin (E+P, n = 118) or tibolone (n = 98). Primary outcome was the frequency of breast cancer. Secondary outcomes included: frequency of mammographic changes, need of mammary biopsy and the association of those outcomes with first-degree family history of breast cancer. Results: Among the 244 women included, the mammographic reports of 12% (30/244) revealed BIRADS ≥3, and in 7 of these cases a breast biopsy was performed. There were two cases of breast cancer in patients undergoing E+P and tibolone, respectively. Mammographic breast density was increased in 19% of women (46/244), with no statistically significant difference among the three groups. There was a statistically significant higher frequency of increased density on mammographies of women with first-degree family history of breast cancer compared to those without family history (8/20 vs. 38/224; p = 0,03). Conclusions: In our sample the increased density after MHT was more significant for women with family history of breast cancer.

Keywords : Menopause; Hormone therapy; Breast cancer; Mammographic density.

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