Oestrogen and bone density: a comparison of tamoxifen and hypo-oestrogenaemia

• Published in: Nuclear medicine communications Vol. 16; no. 8; p. 698
• Main Authors: Leslie, W D, Cowden, E A, Maclean, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-08-1995
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use; Bone Density - drug effects; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - physiopathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Pituitary Neoplasms - physiopathology; Postmenopause; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency - physiopathology; Prolactinoma - physiopathology; Tamoxifen - therapeutic use; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0143-3636
• DOI: 10.1097/00006231-199508000-00013

The effect of the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen on bone density in post-menopausal women with stage II breast cancer (n = 35) was compared with two untreated hypo-oestrogenaemic groups (premature ovarian failure, n = 20; prolactinoma, n = 19) and a group of women with prolactinomas and normal oestrogen levels (n = 12). Bone densities were normal in the euoestrogenaemic groups, but significantly reduced in both hypo-oestrogenaemic groups. Repeat measurements were available for 31 of the 35 tamoxifen-treated subjects after an interval of 33.9 +/- 14.7 months. The anti-oestrogen action of tamoxifen was not associated with accelerated bone loss of the spine or hip, an outcome that was clearly demonstrable in hypo-oestrogenaemic disorders.