Intestinal and pelvic endometriosis presenting as a tumor and associated with tamoxifen therapy: report of a case.

BACKGROUND

Tamoxifen has been used in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer because of its antiestrogenic effects. However, recent reports have shown it to have estrogenic effects as well. The purpose of this report is to describe a potential association between tamoxifen therapy and endometriosis.

CASE

A 50-year-old postmenopausal woman who had received 2 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy for breast carcinoma developed extensive tumor-like endometriosis necessitating extensive pelvic and intestinal surgery.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the need for obstetricians and gynecologists to be familiar with the actions of tamoxifen and its potential complications.