Ovarian cysts during tamoxifen use may affect the prognostic markers of premenopausal breast cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Only a few studies have suggested the association between ovarian cysts and serum estrogen levels during tamoxifen use. However, increased estrogen levels with ovarian cysts would affect the prognosis of breast cancer; this association has not yet been studied. We aimed to investigate the association between ovarian cysts and prognostic markers in premenopausal breast cancer patients undergoing tamoxifen treatment. Methods: A retrospective review of 65 premenopausal breast cancer patients who underwent tamoxifen treatment was performed. Serum hormone levels were measured either specifically between cycle days 2 and 5 in menstruating patients or at any time in amenorrheic participants. Results: The study population consisted of premenopausal patients with (n = 23) and without ovarian cysts (n = 42). Serum estradiol (E₂) levels and tumor markers were not statistically different based on ovarian cyst status. In the subgroup analysis, serum E₂ levels were significantly higher in menstruating women with ovarian cysts, and E₂ levels were positively correlated with serum cancer antigen 15-3 and insulin-like growth factor-1 in these women. Conclusions: Ovarian cysts during tamoxifen use may affect the markers associated with the clinical course of premenopausal breast cancer.

Keywords::

• Breast cancer
• insulin-like growth factor
• insulin-like growth factor binding protein
• ovarian cyst
• tamoxifen
• tumor marker

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the assistance by Yul Huh and Jun Beom Ku for data management and statistical analysis.

Declaration of Interest: This work was supported by a grant (A111539) from Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea.