Tamoxifen Therapy Should Last 5 Years.The much-criticized drug tamoxifen tamoxifen (təmŏk`sĭfĕn'), synthetic hormone used in the treatment of breast cancer. Introduced in 1978, tamoxifen is used to prevent recurrences of cancer in women who have already undergone surgery to remove their tumors. -- a synthetic hormone hormone, secretory substance carried from one gland or organ of the body via the bloodstream to more or less specific tissues, where it exerts some influence upon the metabolism of the target tissue. widely prescribed pre·scribe v. pre·scribed, pre·scrib·ing, pre·scribes v.tr. 1. To set down as a rule or guide; enjoin. See Synonyms at dictate. 2. To order the use of (a medicine or other treatment). to prevent recurrences of breast cancer -- should be taken for 5 years after early-stage cancers are removed and should then be stopped, two new studies show. Tamoxifen has been engulfed in controversy ever since several major studies detected a steep increase in the incidence of uterine cancer uterine cancer Malignant tumour of the uterus. Cancers affecting the lining of the uterus (endometrium) are the most common cancers of the female reproductive tract. among women taking the drug. Now, a Swedish study of 3887 women indicates that those who took tamoxifen for 5 years had fewer recurrences of breast cancer than women who took the drug for just 2 years. And a U.S. study of 2818 women found that the benefits of 5 years' worth of tamoxifen therapy persisted for 5 years but that there was no additional advantage of a longer course of treatment or any likelihood that a longer course would be worth the accompanying risk of uterine cancer. -- Science News, 11/23/97 |
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