Endometrial thickness on Tamoxifen

It's really good that you're being looked at for this.  Or at least I think it is.   I don't know if being 8 mm is a concern (you must be young and premenopausal, and the numbers may vary between being pre and post menopausal), but I do know that uterine/endometrial cancer is a know side effect from Tamoxifen.  I had endometrial cancer, but it wasn't from Tamoxifen.  Just had it.  At the same time as breast cancer.  The good news is that it can often be cured (and they do use the word cured) by surgery alone (hysterectomy) if early stage, low grade.  It does need to be caught in time, of course.  There are two types of uterine cancer (Type 1 endometroid adenocarcinoma, and Type 2 which includes, UPSC, MMMT or carcinoscarcoma, clear cell, and maybe another one).  75% of endometrial cancers are Type 1.  Type 2s are very aggressive and there is no way to know what kind it is without looking at the cells.  A biopsy does not reveal the whole story because it's only the cells they collect.  Sometimes a D & C will be performed which is more definitive, but even that is not the whole story.  Be sure to bring this up when you see your oncologist and ask her/him to explain to you whether you should be worried or not.  And then let us know what you learn.  Different specialists often have different perspectives. 

I hope you have nothing to worry about and will continue on your course of Tamoxifen without anything getting in the way.

Suzanne

I too had the same test every 3mths but never heard the size/ measurements-but I did end up having a total hysterctomy after 4 1/2 yrs on tamofin and finished up the last 6mths post surgery. (I have now been off the tamoxifen for 18mths)

Denise

button2 said:

May I ask why you stopped the

May I ask why you stopped the tamoxifen? Does getting a hysterectomy solve the estrogen problem for good? Was the surgery difficult? Sometimes I think I should get one too! One last question, did you have any problems stopping the drug, weight gain, periods etc? Thank you Denise and happy new year!

Hello Ann,

 I was on Tamoxifen for 3 years. I have had 2 biopcies, they both came negatiive. My gynecologist never was very concerned, however when was around 10 mm, he has to do it. he called it tamozifen fluke or effect. It is slowly have become normal after i stopped. The major rule is to call and see your doctor as soon as possible as you have bleeding or spotting. This very critical even if you think you have a period you should call and talk to your doctor or nurse.

 I hope it will work for you for a very long time

Happy and healthy new year to you

button2 said:

May I ask why you stopped the

May I ask why you stopped the tamoxifen? Does getting a hysterectomy solve the estrogen problem for good? Was the surgery difficult? Sometimes I think I should get one too! One last question, did you have any problems stopping the drug, weight gain, periods etc? Thank you Denise and happy new year!

or estradiol in your fat cells.  And BC that is ER+ likes it.  That's one reason being overweight is a risk factor.  If you have a hysterectomy for uterine cancer, they remove everything - ovaries, tubes, cervix because that's the only way to know if it's anywhere else, and sometimes it is.  They also sometimes remove lymph nodes and do a pelvic wash (I had that).  But your ovaries are gone and don't make estrogen.  And this is why aromotase inhibitors are used in post menopausal women.  They supposedly prohibit that conversion to estradiol to feed ER+ cells.  Unfortunately, they also cause osteoporosis quite often.  Tamoxifen blocks the hormone receptors on ER+ cells, AIs prohibit the production of estradiol.  They don't work by blocking receptors if you're still making estrogen (i.e., have working ovaries).  But Tamoxifen can work if you're post menopausal by blocking those receptors from getting estradiol.  AIs supposedly work better in post menopausal women, but I'm on Tamoxifen.

Both my breast cancer and endometrial cancer were fueled by estrogen.  I had been post menopausal for 5 years at time of diagnosis. 

Suzanne

button2 said:

May I ask why you stopped the

May I ask why you stopped the tamoxifen? Does getting a hysterectomy solve the estrogen problem for good? Was the surgery difficult? Sometimes I think I should get one too! One last question, did you have any problems stopping the drug, weight gain, periods etc? Thank you Denise and happy new year!

button-who me...disneyfan -why did I stop the med?

if so I finished up my 5 yrs..my hystectomy was about 4 1/2 yrs into taking it..now off 18 mths

Denise