tamixifen - uterine thickening

[Moused]

I started tamox (BC twice) Jan 2008 and for 6 months didn't have a period.  I took a break cos of SEs and period came back - I am 50 and they were light, 2 or 3 days only with some spotting in between.  I went back on tamox back in Jan and once agin my periods stopped. (Apart from a massive 6 hour flood a couple of months ago.  Last week follow up US showed my uterine lining has icreased significantly since my last vaginal US 3 months ago plus 2 cysts on my ovaries have continued to grow and are now 5.5cm and 6cm.    My gyn thinks I should have a hysterectomy.  

Does the fact that tamoxifen has stopped my periods mean I am at higher risk of uterine cancer...? ie. as I understand it, thickening and cysts are more worrying post -menopausally?    If tamox is causing these things and the endometrial biopsy is clear should I still have a hysterectomy?  If so why?

[boschillin]

Hey, I'm only 30, but about 2 and a half years ago, my lining was extremely thick and I bled through one tampon an hour for about 4 months.  I don't recall the medication, but I do know it is a breast cancer medication, which helped reverse what was going on.  

And it thickening does increase your chances of cancer, however, they can tell by the type of cells building up - you should ask your doctor about it.  

Also, I do know that having a hysterectomy is sometimes used as an easy way out by just removing the problematic areas.  I challenged my doctors b/c i was so young.  I did not have anything removed. This is not to say there are times when it is best choice, but I think this can be something to ask for a second opinion about.

Having a hysterectomy is a very hard recovery with complications and not something to do lightly.  I had a neighbor who had numerous followup surgeries due to complications that lasted for a couple of years.  

I don't have an exact answer and I don't know if what you have is similar to what I had, but I hope this helped a little and good luck!!