[Hormone substitution in patients after primary treatment of gynecologic malignancies]

Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal patients following primary treatment of gynecologic malignancies has changed considerably during recent years. Estrogens have been found useful to prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease as well as to ameliorate symptoms of estrogen deprivation. Thus, hormone replacement therapy can improve life quality of patients. Estrogen-gestagen replacement therapy after primary treatment of endometrial cancer is no longer contraindicated, at least in stage Ia to Ib disease. For breast cancer patients, the German Society of Senology has published recommendations based on the receptor status and lymph node status of an individual patient. Exogenous estrogens and gestagens are not contraindicated for breast cancer patients with negative receptors and negative lymph nodes. However, tamoxifen is indicated for patients with positive receptors and positive lymph nodes. If symptoms of hormonal deprivation occur, gestagens may be added to tamoxifen in these patients. There are no contraindications for hormone replacement therapy in patients with malignant tumors of the ovary, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina, and vulva.