Endometriosis and Tamoxifen

[mary330]

I have been on Tamoxifen for a little over two years for breast cancer. I am 46 and pre-menopausal.  The first 22 months on the tamoxifen I had my period and occassional hot flashes.  then one month my period stopped and my hot flashes.  At month 27 on Tamoxifen, I had an ultrasound that shows a lickening of the uterean wall and 3 complex ovarian cysts.  My Dr. is doing a biopsy but my question is why would my periods AND the hot flashes go away completely? I would have thought that if my period stopped my hot flashes would get worse not better. Does this indicate Endometrial cancer?


This discussion is related to Tamoxifen and endometriosis.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

The symptoms of hot flashes disappearance is not indicative of endometrial cancer.  It is expected that your periods will stop or become irregular while on tamoxifen but for any woman taking Tamoxifen, it is important to have the uterus checked at least every 6 months to see if there is thickening of the endometrium.  If the endometrium is thickened, then this is a reason to hold tamoxifen temporarily and possibly undergo observation or currettage.  

The ovarian cysts may also be due to tamoxifen as ovulation can sometimes be inhibited, forming these ovarian cysts.  I would agree with the biopsy procedure just to be sure, but I believe that the findings would be OK.

Regards and God bless.

[chottie]

ive been on tamoxifen almost 4 years and was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer estrogen receptive. i had a total mastectomy even though no lymph nodes were affected or the vascular lymph system. it was a grade 2 and the tumour was 1 cm. now, im  having problems with simple dysplasia and i have three options do nothing, go off the tamoxifen or hysterectomy. would it be advisable to go off the tamoxifen for 3 months to see if the spotting  which i only  had twice stops.as if i have a repeat visit with the specialist