ARS Presidential Address: Estrogen therapy: a causal role in endometrial cancer?

Publicity associated with recent reports of a greater frequency of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium among women who take exogenous estrogens has created confusion among physicians and fear among patients. An objective review of available data on estrogen effects and current epidemiologic evidence suggests that estrogen may play an indirect role in the development of endometrial carcinoma. Until definitive data are available, physicians should exercise caution in prescribing estrogens, monitoring the status of the endometrium at regular intervals by sampling and pathologic analysis.