Estrogen sensitive Ovarian cancer

[Hazel30]

Hello Doctor,

Ive heard that there are some women that may have ovarian cancer  cells that might be estrogen sensitive.  I've even read an article but dont have the url on hand, but Im sure you've heard of it before I did.  My Mom is soon reaching the end of her 6 cycles for her recurrence and we are wondering if she could benefit from this.  I know not all women may have this estrogen sensitivity and how do doctors go about finding it out?  Is there a biopsy done or blood work.  How do you feel on this?
Thank You
Fiana

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Fiana,

You are right. While most ovarian cancers are not particularly estrogen sensitive, some will have estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). This can be tested for on the tumor tissue that was removed at surgery. You can ask your mother's doctor if they can do that test. (It is called immunohistochemistry staining for ER and PR)

On the other end of the spectrum, it has been a fairly standard practice to offer estrogen replacement therapy to premenopausal women who become prematurely menopausal from surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. There is no evidence that estrogen replacement therapy increases the risk of cancer recurrence.

Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen, has been used as a therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer. There is about a 20% response rate. There is not any good information about using tamoxifen as a protective agent after completing chemotherapy. It definitely has been done. The present discussion among oncologists pertains to using taxol as a monthly 'consolidation' therapy for one year after completion of chemotherapy.

take care