Hormone Replacement Therapy After Gynaecological Malignancies: a Review Article

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gynecology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Increased cancer survival rates lead to more patients reaching menopause or experiencing gonadal dysfunction due to treatment.
• Gynecological cancer survivors face challenges due to hormone-dependent nature of these cancers and potential recurrence risk with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research and guidelines on the oncological safety of HRT in survivors of gynecological malignancies.
• To provide an overview of the risks and benefits of HRT in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Selective literature search for relevant studies and clinical guidelines.
• Synthesis of available data on HRT use after gynecological cancer.

Main Results:

• Overall, data assessing the oncological safety of HRT after gynecological malignancy are insufficient.
• HRT is generally contraindicated after breast and endometrial cancer.
• HRT may be considered for ovarian cancer survivors after risk-benefit assessment.
• HRT is usually not contraindicated after vulvar, vaginal, or cervical cancer.

Conclusions:

• The oncological safety of HRT following gynecological cancers requires further investigation.
• Individualized risk-benefit assessments are crucial for HRT decisions in ovarian cancer survivors.
• HRT appears to have a more favorable safety profile in survivors of vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancers.