Abstract
Background: We previously reported that breast cancer patients who used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had significantly lower stage tumors and higher survival than never-users. We present an update with longer follow-up, HRT use data, and in vitro research. Methods: Our database of 292 postmenopausal breast cancer patients was updated to include HRT type, duration, and disease status. In vitro effects of estrogen (E) and/or medroxyprogesterone (MPA) on breast cancer cell growth were measured. Results: Tumor prognostic factors were better and survival rates higher for both E and combination HRT users of any duration. Use greater than 10 years correlated with node-negative disease, mammographically detected tumors, and 100% survival. E supported minimal proliferation; MPA induced cell death; E+MPA results were similar to E alone. Conclusions: HRT users, regardless of type or duration of HRT use, continued to have higher survival rates. In vitro results supported the clinical finding that outcomes for users of E and E+MPA were similar.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 505-511 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | American journal of surgery |
Volume | 196 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2008 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Medroxyprogesterone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery