Asymptomatic carcinoma of the endometrium in a patient on adjunctive tamoxifen therapy for carcinoma of the breast

ABSTRACT

A case report of a 70 years old female, on tamoxifen for over five (5) years after a left mastectomy and with lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy in whom an asymptomatic adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is reported. Review of the literature suggests this association, however, definitive proof that tamoxifen causes cancer of endometrium has not been fully accepted. The best study in this regards is the one from Radiohemmet Oncologic Centre from Stockholm, Sweden. Patients with cancer of the breast that have been over two (2) years on tamoxifen should be screened with endovaginal sonograms for thickness of endometrium, thickness over 9mm and possibly over 5mm should be investigated with hysteroscopy and fractional uterine curetage