Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
The influence of tamoxifen on the maturation index of vaginal epithelium
Purpose: The estrogenic effect of tamoxifen on vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women with breast cancer was evaluated over a period of more than 48 months.Methods: The tamoxifen group consisted of 118 postmenopaul patients, control group I of 30 postmenopaul women with breast cancer receiving no tamoxifen or hormonal replacement therapy and control group II of 40 postmenopausal women. Results: The maturation index increased under tamoxifen therapy within the first 24 months from 0.4026 before taking tamoxifen (n = 64) to 0.6066 (n = 162. p < 0.0001) and in the following 24 to 0.6325 (n = 122. p < 0.000 I). Under tamoxifen intake of more than 48 months, an additional small increase of the maturation index to 0.6735 (n=42. p < Cl.000 I) could be noticed. The maturation index in the tamoxifen group was statistically significantly higher (p < Cl.0001) than in the control groups (control group p < 0.0001; control group II: 0.4102, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: An apparent increase in the maturation of the vaginal epithelium caused by the estrogenic effect of tamoxifen could be demonstrated.