Hormonal therapy and genital tract cancer

The use of hormonal replacement therapy following genital tract cancer is often denied to women because of the fear of increasing the risk of recurrence or new growth. The paucity of articles written on this subject during the past decade is an indication of the attitude of the medical profession to the needs of women suffering from symptoms of sex hormone deficiency. During 1994-1995 there were few articles published on the use of hormonal therapy to treat menopausal symptoms following genital tract cancer. Several articles, however, reviewed the relationship between hormones and genital tract cancer, some explored the value of antioestrogens in controlling recurrent or secondary disease, and a few others discussed the risk of developing uterine cancer when tamoxifen was used to manage postmenopausal breast cancer. Some suggestions are made that will allow women suffering from symptoms of hormone deficiency to receive alternative regimens of hormonal therapy. Maintaining quality of life without reducing the potential length of life is paramount in reaching a decision on the use of hormonal therapy following genital tract cancer.