Retrospective review of male breast cancer patients: analysis of tamoxifen-related side-effects.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Approximately 2000 American men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Limited data are available evaluating toxicity of antihormonal treatments in male breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We reviewed male breast cancer patients evaluated at our institution (1999-2009). Of 126 patients, 64 met the following inclusion criteria: stage I-III, treated with tamoxifen, at least one follow-up visit after starting tamoxifen. A descriptive analysis of toxic effects was carried out on these 64 patients.

RESULTS:

Median follow-up from start of tamoxifen therapy was 3.9 years (range 0.3-19.4 years). Median age at diagnosis was 61 years (range 30-79 years). Breakdown by stage: 29.7% (n = 19) stage I, 54.7% (n = 35) stage II, and 15.6% (n = 10) stage III. Thirty-four (53%) patients experienced one or more toxicity while taking tamoxifen. Most common toxic effects are weight gain (14 patients, 22%) and sexual dysfunction (14 patients, 22%). Thirteen (20.3%) patients discontinued tamoxifen due to toxicity: one ocular, one leg cramps, two neurocognitive deficits, two bone pain, three sexual dysfunction, and four thromboembolic events.

CONCLUSIONS:

To our knowledge, this is the largest study examining tamoxifen-related toxic effects among male breast cancer patients. Among male patients, there is a high rate of discontinuation of tamoxifen. Prospective studies of antihormonal agents in male breast cancer are warranted.

• Authors: N Pemmaraju, M F Munsell, G N Hortobagyi, S H Giordano
• Journal: Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology (Ann Oncol) Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 1471-4 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1569-8041 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22085764 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Tamoxifen

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms, Male (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological (chemically induced)
• Tamoxifen (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Refusal
• Weight Gain (drug effects)