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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Tamoxifen and Ovarian Cysts
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Tamoxifen and Ovarian Cysts
by Under Forty Pam, Dec 17, 2006 12:00AM
I recently had an ovarian cyst develop and rupture and was wondering if it could be related to Tamoxifen. I had BC in July and started on Tamoxifen Oct 16 2007 after concluding radiation. I developed a cyst and it ruptured in early Dec. and I've never have a cyst (to my knowledge) prior to this event. My doctors OBGYN and Medical Oncologist both say Tamoxifen does not cause cysts but I have read many articles saying there is a high percentage and correlation of ovarian cysts in premenpausal women. It appears to be recent studies in the last few years.
Are my doctors just not keeping up with readings or are these journals on the internet not accurate? What is the Cleveland Clinics view on this topic. I am trying to decide whether I should stop taking Tamoxifen or not.
And if have seen good studies on the topic could you tell me where I can get that data to share with my doctors?
Are my doctors just not keeping up with readings or are these journals on the internet not accurate? What is the Cleveland Clinics view on this topic. I am trying to decide whether I should stop taking Tamoxifen or not.
And if have seen good studies on the topic could you tell me where I can get that data to share with my doctors?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Dec 18, 2006 12:00AM
Dear under40pam: There have been several articles over the past decade that document the occurrence of benign functional ovarian cysts in women taking tamoxifen. These usually resolve when the tamoxifen is stopped. In general, there is no reason to remove such cysts unless they are symptomatic. The cysts have no particular significance in terms of your cancer therapy. It's actually not rare for a premenopausal woman who takes tamoxifen to have high estrogen levels: it's complicated, but basically by blocking estrogen receptors in various places, tamoxifen fools the brain into thinking the body needs more estrogen, so the pituitary gland sends messages to the ovaries to make more. If the cysts become frequent and symptomatic, it may be worth a discussion of ovarian ablation, at least temporarily.
It is interesting to see somelse with headaches that is on tamoxifen. I have never had headaches before. I was beginning to think something else was wrong. I have also read about alot of women getting cyst.
I understand about ruining the holidays. I go for a mamo and biopsy on my left breast the 22nd. I found another lump Dec 6th.
Guess I'll have to wait out the holidays for the results.
Boninclyde - I thought I was crazy getting the headaches, glad to hear I'm not alone either. Both docs told me to resume the drug but I am sick of wrecking holidays so I am going to start up again Jan. 2. Sorry to hear about your new lump. I know it is hard to get tests back during the holidays. Keep us posted.
Lauren