scholarly journals Clinical aspect, pathogenesis and therapy options of alopecia induced by hormonal therapy for breast cancer

Author(s):  
Alfredo Rossi ◽  
Gemma Caro ◽  
Francesca Magri ◽  
Maria Caterina Fortuna ◽  
Marta Carlesimo

Adjuvant hormonal therapy is one of the most important treatments of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and includes selective estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs. In patients receiving these drugs, a progressive recession of frontal-temporal hairlines is often observed, such as a certain grade of hair miniaturization in the same areas and the central scalp area, producing a pseudo-female androgenic alopecia, which has to be considered oncotherapy-induced alopecia. The aim of this work, is to describe the clinical aspects and pathogenesis of this type of alopecia and to analyze the different drugs which have been proposed until now. The authors concude that topical hormones should not be considered as a therapeutic approach because of their direct or indirect oncogenic potential. A therapeutic approach that could be both safe and effective is proposed.

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 69-78
Author(s):  
Anna E. Protasova ◽  
Irina A. Solntseva ◽  
Anna A. Tsypurdeyeva ◽  
Tatyana Yu. Semiglazova ◽  
Marina B. Stenina ◽  
...  

Currently, tamoxifen is the gold standard in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, which reduces recurrent tumor risk by more than 40%. Tamoxifen, which belongs to selective estrogen receptor modulators, can cause endometrial changes in women of different age groups and increase the risk of hyperplasia and endometrial cancer by several times. In clinical practice, the occurrence of various endometrial alterations during tamoxifen treatment often leads to groundless drug withdrawal. Oncology, gynecology and radiology community knowledge related to optimal methods and criteria for diagnosing different tamoxifen-induced endometrial conditions, as well as in choosing the optimal treatment tactics, will be instrumental in the unified and correct approach to managing patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and maintaining tamoxifen therapy due to its high effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 925
Author(s):  
Yeo-Jin Choi ◽  
Keunhyeong Bak ◽  
Yoon Yeo ◽  
Yongwon Choi ◽  
Sooyoung Shin

Accumulating evidence indicates a link between diabetes and cancer. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may increase diabetes risk via antiestrogen effects. This study investigated incident diabetes risk of SERM treatment and its effects on metastatic cancer and death prevention in breast cancer survivors. This retrospective cohort study included female patients with early-stage breast cancer, treated with or without SERMs, between 2008 and 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Korea. Four propensity score-matched comparison pairs were designed: SERM use versus non-use, long-term use (≥1500 days) versus non-use, tamoxifen use versus non-use, and toremifene use versus non-use; then, logistic regression analysis was performed for risk analysis. SERMs in general were not associated with an elevated risk of diabetes; however, when used for ≥1500 days, SERMs—especially toremifene—substantially increased diabetes risk in breast cancer patients (OR 1.63, p = 0.048). Meanwhile, long-term SERM treatment was effective at preventing metastatic cancer (OR 0.20, p < 0.001) and death (OR 0.13, p < 0.001). SERM treatment, albeit generally safe and effective, may increase diabetes risk with its long-term use in women with breast cancer. Further studies are required to verify the association between toremifene treatment and incident diabetes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Ya. Z. Zaydieva

Hormone therapy is an effective treatment option for menopausal women, although prolonged use of hormone therapy is associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, thromboembolism, and stroke. A literature search for studies evaluating the effects of hormone therapy in menopausal women with asymptomatic fibroids demonstrated variable effects of hormone therapy on the volume and size of the fibroids. Some studies have demonstrated an increase in size of pre-existing asymptomatic fibroids and formation of new fibroids with higher doses of progestogen in combination therapy. Selective estrogen receptor modulators having tissue-specific estrogen agonistic and antagonistic actions such as raloxifene have a favorable clinical profile and may be better alternatives in women with asymptomatic fibroids.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Greene ◽  
Vivian Tsang

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. The majority of breast cancers diagnosed in postmenopausal women are hormone receptor positive and involve therapy with hormonal agents. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, has been the mainstay of hormonal therapy since the 1970s. The more recent approval and success of aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, have seen these agents move to the front line of therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant and metastatic settings. Fulvestrant, a selective estrogen receptor— downregulator, provides an additional hormonal therapy with a novel mechanism of action. This article reviews the current literature available regarding the use of these agents for postmenopausal women with early stage or advanced breast cancer.


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