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The effect of tamoxifen on cervical squamous maturation in Papanicolaou stained cervical smears of post‐menopausal women
Author(s) -
EELLS T. P.,
ALPERN H. D.,
GRZYWACZ C.,
MacMILLAN R. W.,
OLSON J. E.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1365-2303
pISSN - 0956-5507
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2303.1990.tb00359.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tamoxifen , papanicolaou stain , cervix , gynecology , squamous carcinoma , cervical cancer , breast cancer , cancer , carcinoma
Using cervical smears obtained as part of routine gynaecological examinations, a retrospective study of the effects of the drug tamoxifen on squamous epithelial maturation of the cervix of post‐menopausal women being treated for advanced breast cancer was made. The degree of squamous epithelial maturation was quantitated by using the Maturation Index and the Maturation Value. Although tamoxifen is a synthetic, non‐steroidal compound classified as anti‐oestrogenic, the findings indicate that this drug commonly produces a level of squamous maturation indicative of oestrogenic stimulation in Papanicolaou stained cervical smears from post‐menopausal patients receiving this drug. Knowledge of the oestrogenic effect of tamoxifen in the cervix can obviate clinical concern about endometrial carcinoma.