Open AccessEffects of tamoxifen on urinary incontinence
Author(s) -
Elshad Hasanov,
Merve Hasanov,
Menge Kuria,
Rovshan Hasanov,
Reshad Rzazade,
Eric Jonasch,
Kadri̇ Altundağ
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000006785
Subject(s) - tamoxifen , medicine , urinary incontinence , breast cancer , quality of life (healthcare) , gynecology , estrogen , urology , urinary system , genitourinary system , oncology , cancer , nursing
Rationale: Tamoxifen has been used in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and has been shown to successfully reduce both recurrence and mortality. On the contrary, long-term use of tamoxifen has hormone-related urogenital side effects which decrease the quality of life of the patients. Patient concerns: In this case report, we present a breast cancer patient receiving tamoxifen who developed urinary incontinence; we discuss the effects of tamoxifen on urinary incontinence, which decreases quality of life of the patients who were evaluated in our clinic. Diagnoses: Breast cancer, urinary incontinence. Interventions: Temporarily discontinuing tamoxifen. Outcomes: Urinary incontinence resolved. Lessons: Based on the case we reported and literature, estrogen can cause a dose-dependent increase in incontinence, but more preclinical and clinical studies of both estrogen and SERMs are needed to support this notion; given the fact that some small-scale clinical studies have not proven a direct relationship between tamoxifen and urinary incontinence. We suggest that clinicians faced with the issue should temporarily stop usage of the drug once the complaint of urinary incontinence arises.