[Hormone replacement therapy in breast cancer patients: a study of 230 patients, with a case-control study]

After recalling the classical contra-indication of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) concerning patients with a personal history of breast cancer (BC), and arguments that may be opposed, the authors report the present results of a prospective study undertaken in the Center of Breast Diseases in Saint-Louis hospital in Paris since February 1992.

By April 2001, 230 patients had been included. A free interval of 2 years at least since the treatment of the primary BC has been observed. The reasons for prescribing HRT were vasomotor troubles (flushes, nightly sweats) or a dyspareunia, which were severe and not controlled by non-hormonal treatments. There was also an indication of a major osteoporotic or cardiovascular danger. In fact, many of these patients had a premature, artificial, chemo-induced menopause. The HRT most often used was an estro-progestin association (estradiol + a progestin compound) given either continuously or with a 5-d interruption each month. The mean duration of treatment was 2.5 years.

Results, concerning the improvement of menopause troubles, were remarkable in the great majority of troubles. HRT had to be stopped in 39 cases, reading as follows: 17 cases for relapses (seven local, six in the contro-lateral breast and four metastases (7%)). Also, 22 patients (9%) interrupted their HRT for serious side-effects. A case-control study did not show any significant difference between with and without HRT patients concerning the overall survival without relapse.

Quality of life of patients was often substantially improved, and a deleterious effect on the cancer disease was not found. Our results are in agreement with the literature from other countries. However, one must be cautious. In such circumstances, HRT must be prescribed with the informed consent of the patients and delivered in appropriate hospital and university centers. It is wished that large randomised prospective studies may be undertaken.