You are here:

Breast Cancer/breast cancer / estrogen

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/11/2008


Question
In 2004 I had a mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and a oopherectomy due to a diagnosis of Stage 3b breast cancer that had spread into my chest wall. I have no ovaries and have been taking Tamoxifen for 4 years. Since I have only the estrogen that would be produced by my adrenal glands do I still need to be on the Tamoxifen? Should I be taking a little bit of replacement estrogen? I feel great but cannot stand the one side effect that I do have...15 extra pounds. No matter how hard I try I cannot lose it and it is making me miserable. P.S. I am grateful to be alive :)

Answer
Estrogen is produced aso both by your adrenals AND by your fat tissue. So even though it makes you somewhat heavier I can not recommend that you stop with it. Not yet anyway. Usually patients are put on 5 years of it. If that is correct in your case is at least unclear, but I have nothing else to go on.

Breast Cancer

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.