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Post-menopausal hormonal therapy and gallbladder cancer risk
Silvano Gallus1, Eva Negri, Liliane Chatenoud
1Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy. gallus@marionegri.it
International Journal of Cancer
|July 13, 2002
Summary
Post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of gallbladder cancer in women over 45. This study found a higher odds ratio for HRT users, suggesting a potential link between HRT and this rare cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Hormone Therapy Research
Background:
- Gallbladder cancer is a rare malignancy.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly used by post-menopausal women.
- The association between HRT and gallbladder cancer risk remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential relationship between post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
- To provide epidemiological evidence on HRT use and gallbladder cancer incidence.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Italy from 1985 to 1997.
- Data included 31 incident gallbladder cancer cases and 3,702 controls (women aged over 45).
- Multivariate analysis was used to assess the odds ratio (OR) for HRT use.
Main Results:
- Women who had ever used HRT showed an increased odds ratio (OR) of 3.2 (95% CI: 1.1-9.3) for gallbladder cancer.
- The risk appeared to increase with longer duration of HRT use.
- These findings suggest a positive association, though based on small numbers due to disease rarity.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first direct epidemiological evidence suggesting an association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and an increased risk of gallbladder cancer.
- Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings.
- Post-menopausal women using HRT should be aware of this potential risk.