[Does hormonal contraception increase the risk for tumors?]

Braendle W, Wilhelm Braendle, Kuhl H, Herbert Kuhl, Alfred Mueck, Mueck A, Birkhäuser M, Martin Birkhäuser, Christian Thaler, Thaler C, Ludwig Kiesel, Kiesel L, Joseph Neulen, Neulen J
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique · 2009 · doi:10.1024/0040-5930.66.2.129 · PMID:19180433
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Oral hormonal contraceptives are associated with a diminished risk for benign breast tumors, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer, while not increasing the risk for breast, liver, melanoma, vulvar, or vaginal cancers.

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Abstract

A non-contraceptive benefit of oral hormonal contraceptives (OC) is a diminished risk for certain benign as well as malignant tumours, such as benign breast tumours, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. Endometriosis itself is not positively influenced by OC, but dysmenorrhea is decreased. Modern low-dose OC do not increase the risk of liver cell adenomata or carcinomata. OC do not influence melanoma. Modern data do not suggest an increased risk for breast carcinoma in OC users. Long-term use of OC leads to a decreased risk of endometrial and colorectal carcinomata. Cervical carcinoma is not influenced directly by OC, but probably indirectly through a change in sexual behaviour. There is no increase of vulvar or vaginal carcinoma, even after long-term use of OC.

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Condition tags

endometriosisdysmenorrhea

MeSH descriptors

Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Neoplasms Adult Age Factors Case-Control Studies Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal Female Genital Neoplasms, Female Genital Neoplasms, Female Genital Neoplasms, Female Humans Long-Term Care Middle Aged Neoplasms Neoplasms Risk Factors Young Adult

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europepmc
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pubmed
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