Mammographic breast density, hormones, and growth factors during continuous combined hormone therapy

Peter Conner, Gunilla Svane, Edward Azavedo, Gunnar Söderqvist, Kjell Carlström, Thomas Gräser, T Gräser, Friedrich Walter, F. Walter, Bo von Schoultz
Fertility and sterility · 2004 · vol. 81(6) , pp. 1617–1623 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.096 · PMID:15193485 · W2034400253
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This study investigated the effects of continuous combined hormone therapy on mammographic breast density, estrogen, progesterone, and IGF-1 levels in postmenopausal women.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect on mammographic breast density of two different continuous combined regimens for hormone therapy. DESIGN: Randomized clinical study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Postmenopausal women without any previous history of breast disorder. INTERVENTION(S): The women received either estradiol valerate/dienogest or estradiol/norethisterone acetate. Mammograms and venous blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Change in mammographic breast density. Correlations with levels of hormones, growth factors, and binding proteins. RESULT(S): An increase in mammographic density was recorded in approximately 50% of the women, and there were no differences between treatments. Increased density showed a positive correlation with estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin and showed a negative association to free T. Among hormonal factors, levels of free T were the most important for predicting increased density. CONCLUSION(S): Continuous combined hormone therapy with different progestogens has a marked impact on the breast.

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MeSH descriptors

Estrogen Replacement Therapy Growth Substances Hormones Mammography Nandrolone Norethindrone Breast Breast Estradiol Estradiol Estradiol Estrone Estrone Female Growth Substances Hormones Humans Nandrolone Nandrolone Norethindrone

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