The Breast : official journal of the European Society of Mastology
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Tamoxifen has been the endocrine agent of choice for adjuvant hormonal therapy for early breast cancer since approval in 1986. Five years of tamoxifen treatment produced a significant reduction in recurrence and death over more than 10 years of follow-up in women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. ⋯ This review provides a synopsis of the most recent trial results and a discussion of remaining areas of uncertainties. Although currently tamoxifen still remains a valid option, increasing evidence from the new AI adjuvant trials suggests that optimised adjuvant endocrine treatment should incorporate an AI either as initial or as sequential therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Management of lactational breast abscesses.
The purpose of the present prospective study was to compare incision and drainage against needle aspiration for the treatment of breast abscesses in lactating women. During the 3-year study period, patients with breast abscesses were randomized 1:1 to undergo either incision and drainage (23 patients) or needle aspiration (22 patients). Ultrasound guidance was not used for any of these patients. ⋯ The risk factors for failure of needle aspiration for breast abscesses were abscesses larger than 5 cm in diameter, unusually large volume of aspirated pus, and delay in treatment. In conclusion, breast abscesses smaller than 5 cm in diameter on physical examination can be treated with repeated aspirations with good cosmetic results. Incision and drainage should be reserved for use in patients with larger abscesses.
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This descriptive population-based study estimates the incidence, and describes the management and outcomes for women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer (GBC) aged 15-44 years in Western Australia between January 1982 and December 2000. Gestational breast cancer accounted for 6.25% of breast cancers in Western Australian women less than 45 years of age, and complicated 23.6 per 100,000 pregnancies. Two thirds were diagnosed postpartum and a third while pregnant. ⋯ Five-year survival was better than reported previously (73%). The incidence of GBC was lower than previously reported. Significant differences in pregnancy outcome and management exist between the pregnant and postpartum groups.
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There is increasing use of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer (J. Clin. Oncol. 19(2) (2001) 343). ⋯ Soc. Clin. Oncol. 22 (2003), Abstr. 15).
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Women are conventionally advised to stop tamoxifen before attempting pregnancy. The risks of congenital malformations or late teratogenic manifestations in adulthood are unknown. Following an informed discussion about the uncertainties of tamoxifen exposure on pregnancy women should be offered the choice whether to continue or stop tamoxifen before attempting pregnancy. An unexpected pregnancy in a women taking tamoxifen could continue if the pregnant woman accepts the possibility of a teratogenic effect that tamoxifen could have on the fetus.