Anti-oestrogen therapy of advanced mammary carcinoma

Forty mg daily of tamoxifen (Nolvadex) was administered orally to 89 patients with advanced soft tissue mammary carcinoma. At two months 43 per cent of the patients responded. At 6, 12 and 18 months, 42, 35 and 32 per cent, respectively, were still responding to therapy. The side effects were limited, fatique being the most frequent complaint. Oestrogen dependent side effects were not encountered. The therapeutic effect of tamoxifen is similar to that of oestrogen, but the side effects are less.