Menopausal hormonal therapy in gynaecological cancers: An evidence‐based approach for clinical management

• Published in: Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 60; no. 6; pp. 942 - 945
• Main Authors: Fenton, Christine L., McGauran, Melissa J., Richards, Anthony M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Estrogen Replacement Therapy - methods; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female - complications; Genital Neoplasms, Female - drug therapy; Genital Neoplasms, Female - pathology; gynaecological cancer; gynaecological malignancy; Gynecology; hormone replacement therapy; Hormone Replacement Therapy - adverse effects; Hormone Replacement Therapy - methods; Hot Flashes - drug therapy; Humans; menopausal hormonal therapy; menopause; Menopause - physiology; Menopause, Premature - drug effects; oestrogen treatment; Postoperative Complications - drug therapy; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; gynaecological cancer; hormone replacement therapy; oestrogen treatment; menopausal hormonal therapy; menopause; gynaecological malignancy
• ISSN: 0004-8666; 1479-828X
• DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13237

Treatment for gynaecological malignancies often requires oophorectomy or loss of ovarian function from adjuvant treatment. Premature or early menopause caused by gynaecological cancer treatment may require menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) to treat vasomotor symptoms. However, concerns exist due to theoretical risks of stimulation of hormonal‐sensitive tumours and hence increasing recurrence risk. There are small numbers of often underpowered fair to poor quality studies indicating that MHT is safe with most gynaecological malignancies. These studies are of variable quality with most being retrospective. We present the available data on this subject relative to the common types of gynaecological cancer.