Gerson R, Serrano OA, Villalobos A

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 11-16
PDF size: 57.96 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: In Mexico, breast cancer represented the second cause of mortality in the general population, 10.3%, with 9,050 deaths during 1997. Tamoxifen is an antiestrogenic drug that is utilized in metastasic disease, adjuvant or chemopreventive treatment in breast cancer. Estrogens correlate with lipid serum levels. Objective: To evaluate the serum cholesterol behavior in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Patients and methods: Women with breast cancer, without age distinction, with positive or unknown hormonal receptors status, who were treated with tamoxifen at least for 6 months and with at least 3 serum cholesterol determinations. Patients with diabetes mellitus, previous dyslipidemia, hypertension, steroid treatment, hepatic metastasis and with simultaneous chemotherapy were excluded. Age, clinical stage, duration of tamoxifen use, associated symptoms, cardiovascular events, hormonal receptors status, cholesterol serum levels at initiation, after 6 months and at the end of study as well as causes of death were registered. Results: Twenty nine women, mean age 56.2 + 10.9 years, range 42 to 79. Stage I eight cases, 27.6%; IIa, 27.6%; IIb 10, 34.5%; 2 in IIIb and one case unknown. Positive estrogen receptors in 14, 1 negative; positive progesterone receptors in 10 and 2 negative. Mean tamoxifen intake time 41.9 + 18.3 months, range 6 to 60. It was associated with hot flashes, 35.7%; osseous pain, 28.6%; nausea, 21.4%; dyspepsia, 14.3%; accurate visual reduction, 14.3%; dizziness and abdominal distention, 7.2%. Initial cholesterol 198 mg/dL, at 6 months 211.46 and at the end 199.83, p = 0.644; among patients older than 50 years than cholesterol levels were 208.2 + 18.9, 217.6 + 52.3 y 202 + 45.6, respectively; while among patients younger 50 years 18.3 + 26.9, 194.1 + 19.3 y 186.7 + 36.1, respectively; no significative difference was found. Three vascular events were observed (10.3%), transitory ischemic attack, ischemic cardiopathy and cardiac failure. Conclusions: Antiestrogenic therapy with tamoxifen, for breast cancer, does not significatively modify cholesterol serum levels.

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