Breast cancers and Tamoxifen

Introduction

Breast cancer is a major health problem in ladies. It is rarely seen in males too.

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breast-cancer

What is Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is a mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist. It has played an important role in management of breast cancer.

1. It has estrogen antagonistic effects in some tissues (e.g. breast) and

2. Estrogen agonistic effects in other tissues (e.g. uterine tissue).

Initially, tamoxifen was used primarily to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers because of its antiestrogenic effects. The use of tamoxifen has expanded, however, to include all forms of breast cancer, and more recently as a preventative agent for women at high risk for breast cancer.

Controversies about Tamoxifen

The use of tamoxifen in high-risk women is particularly controversial due to the potential risks associated with tamoxifen side effects, and the unknown risks of tamoxifen use in healthy women.

Effects of tamoxifen on brain tissue

Effects of tamoxifen on brain tissue have not been well studied. Tamoxifen has detrimental effects on cognitive function due to antiestrogenic effects.

Side effects of Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen retinopathy

White colored flecks appear in retina. Vision may get affected. In such cases Ophthalmologist may suggest oncologist to stop Tamoxifen. It is difficult to predict which case will develop Tamoxifen retinopathy and who will not develop.

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