tamoxifen

(təmŏk`sĭfĕn'), synthetic hormone used in the treatment of breast cancerbreast cancer,
cancer that originates in the breast. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (following lung cancer). Although the vast majority of the cases occur in women, some men also get breast cancer.
..... Click the link for more information. . Introduced in 1978, tamoxifen is used to prevent recurrences of cancer in women who have already undergone surgery to remove their tumors and to control metastatic breast cancer. In breast tissue, tamoxifen blocks the effect of estrogen on cancerous cells that need estrogen to grow; not all breast cancers are affected by tamoxifen and other selective estrogen receptor modulators. In postmenopausal women with breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors, which block the production of estrogen outside the ovaries, are typically used instead of tamoxifen. In 1998, a large study of healthy women at high risk for breast cancer showed that tamoxifen can also prevent first occurrence of the disease; women who took the drug had a 45% lower incidence of cancer that those who received a placebo, and tamoxifen is now also used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high risk patients. Adverse effects include and increased risk of uterine and endometrial cancer, blood clots, stroke, and cataracts.

tamoxifen

[tah-mok´sĭ-fen] a nonsteroidal oral antiestrogen used as the citrate salt in the treatment and prophylaxis of breast cancer.

tamoxifen

(tə-mŏk′sə-fĕn)n. A drug that is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, C₂₆H₂₉NOS, used in the form of its citrate primarily to treat breast cancer in women whose tumors are estrogen-dependent and to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.

tamoxifen

Adjuvant tamoxifen, Novaldex^® Oncology A nonsteroidal anti-estrogenic used to treat early estrogen receptor–ER-positive breast CA; prophylactic tamoxifen may used in postmenopausal ♀ at high risk for breast CA Other benefits ↓ Serum lipids, ↓ risk of CAD; it maintains bone mass and ↓ osteoporosis Cons ↑ risk of endometrial CA. See Breast cancer, Chemokine, STAR. Cf Raloxifene.

tamoxifen

A drug that blocks oestrogen receptors and is useful in the treatment of certain cancers, especially breast cancer. Research involving 37,000 women has shown that tamoxifen substantially improves the survival figures after breast cancer and substantially reduces the probability of cancer in the other breast. The drug also stimulates egg production from the ovaries and can be used to treat infertility. It is on the WHO official list. Brand names are Nolvadex and Tamofen.

Patient discussion about tamoxifen

Q. Hot flashes while on tamoxifen - is there anything to do? Hello,Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after surgery and radiation, I was given tamoxifene. In the beginning it was OK, but now I have hot flashes. Usually I can to hold my self until It passes, but some times (like during work) it’s just so bothering- is there anything I can do to make these flashes go?A. Just a short update, I took Riki's advice and went to see my doctor a couple of days ago - now I just have to wait and see if the medicine he gave me will do the trick.

Q. I heard about tamoxifen. Should women who have an increased risk of breast cancer take tamoxifen? A. Dear Elizabeth, women with an increased risk of breast cancer can think about taking tamoxifen to reduce their risk. As with any medical procedure or treatment, the decision to take tamoxifen is a personal one in which the benefits and risks must be discussed with your doctor. The balance of these benefits and risks will vary depending on a woman's personal health history and how much importance she puts on the benefits and risks. Even if a woman has an increased risk of breast cancer, tamoxifen therapy may not be right for her. Any woman who is thinking about tamoxifen therapy should talk with her doctor about her personal health situation to make the best decision.

Q. Want to know how this tamoxifen works to fight cancer as my lump is removed and is there any side effects? Hi… I am 26 years lady, my breast cancer lump is removed and after my chemo I am on tamoxifen now……wanted to know how this tamoxifen works to fight cancer as my lump is removed now and is there any side effects associated with it?A. With, Tamoxifen uterine cancer risk is there to some. As Breast cancers have estrogen receptors which stimulate the cancer cell to grow and tamoxifen inhibits. If post surgery you have any incidence of cancer reversal due to estrogen then tamoxifen will inhibit and will complete your treatment.

More discussions about tamoxifen

tamoxifen

ta·mox·i·fen

tamoxifen

ta•mox•i•fen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

tamoxifen

Patient discussion about tamoxifen

tamoxifen

Synonyms for tamoxifen

noun an antagonist for estrogen that is used in the treatment of breast cancer

Synonyms

Related Words