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Son, Jeong, Joo, Kim, and Lee: Clinical Characteristics of Breast Cancer Detected during Hormone Therapy in Korean Women
Original Article
The Journal of Korean Society of Menopause

The Journal of Korean Society of Menopause 2012; 18(1): 52-59.

Published online: 30 April 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6118/jksm.2012.18.1.52

Clinical Characteristics of Breast Cancer Detected during Hormone Therapy in Korean Women

Jung Bin Son, M.D., Ju Eun Jeong, M.D., Jong Kil Joo, M.D., Ki Hyung Kim, M.D., Kyu Sup Lee, M.D.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Address for Correspondence: Kyu Sup Lee, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 305 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 602-739, Korea. Tel: +82-51-240-7287, Fax: +82-51-240-2384, kuslee@pusan.ac.kr

Received 30 August 2011       Revised 5 September 2011       Accepted 5 September 2011

Copyright © 2012 by The Korean Society of Menopause

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/).

Abstract

Objectives

This study was performed to assess the risk factors, histologic and clinical features of breast cancer in postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy (HT).

Methods

We evaluated 40 breast cancer patients who received HT due to postmenopausal symptoms by reviewing their medical charts at Pusan National University Hospital. Research variables, including patients' history, type and duration of received HT, moment of cancer debut after starting HT, radiological characteristics of breast cancer stage, histologic type, tumor size, grade, lymph node metastasis, estrogen and progesterone receptor status and 5-year survival were investigated.

Results

In the risk factors of breast cancer patients, only one patient had familial history of breast cancer. No patient had smoking history. The average body mass index (BMI) was 23.2 kg/m2. Twelve patients (30%) had estrogen only therapy, 13 patients (32.5%) had combined estrogen and progesterone therapy, 10 patients (25%) had tibolone therapy and the others consecutively received combination therapy of the above regimens. The mean duration of treatment was 31 ± 27.9 months (range 0.4-115 months). In the distribution of the cancer debut after starting HT, in 4 cases (10%) was within 1 year, 5 cases (12.5%) within 1-2 years, 10 cases (25%) within 2-3 years, 4 cases (10%) within 3-4 years, 1 case (2.5%) within 4-5 years, and 16 cases (40%) within more than 5 years. The average diameter of tumor size was 1.7 cm. In 92.5% of cases, the tumor was of ductal type. Tumor stage 0 and 1 appeared in 66% and grade I was present in 38% of investigated cases. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancers were 85% and 70% of patients had negative lymph node metastases. The 5-year survival rate was 92%.

Conclusion

The breast cancers which emerged during HT in postmenopausal women had hormone receptor-positive tendency. The size and stage of these breast cancers were shown as small and low, and represented low-grade differentiation. Recurrences of disease were uncommon and we found favorable 5-year survival rates and good prognosis.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Homone therapy

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Basic characteristics of breast cancer patients receiving hormone therapy
jksm-18-52-i001

Data expressed as the mean ± standard deviation and percentage. HT: hormone therapy, BMI: body mass index

Table 2
Total hormone therapy (HT) duration, regimen and moment of cancer debut after starting HT
jksm-18-52-i002

Data expressed as the mean ± standard deviation and percentage. E: estrogen, P: progesterone, T: tibolone

Table 3
Distribution of mammographic staging results and treatment modality of breast cancers
jksm-18-52-i003

Non-surgical method included chemotheraphy and/or radiation therapy without breast surgery. BI-RADS: breast imaging reporting and data system

Table 4
Clinical features of breast cancers in postmenopausal women receiving hormone therapy
jksm-18-52-i004

Data expressed as the mean ± standard deviation and percentage. ER: estrogen receptor, PR: progesterone receptor, LN: lymph node

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