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Breast Cancer/breast cancer tamoxifen rechallenge

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Expert: - 11/5/2007


Question
QUESTION: if a tumour has regrown whilst taking tamoxifen, hypercalcemia and ascites have both occurred, would it be normal or wise to
rechallenge with tamoxifen ?

ANSWER: If these things have happened during tamoxifen therapy it is very probable that that therapy has become ineffective.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what would be the effect of a tamoxifen rechallenge after
its discontinuation for the above?

ANSWER: I'm a Swede, living in Sweden, so English is not my first language. I think I do have a language problem here! Please explain what you mean by rechallenge so that I can answer properly!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: rechallenge is an english medical jargon term
that means re-prescribing / trying tamoxifen again.

my apologies - medical jargon is normally used to confuse the
patient , not the doctor !!

many thanks

Answer
Well it did! However already in my first reply to your question I wrote that what you had told me probably meant that the drug had become ineffective! If that is the case it is probable that it will not work in the future either! So then it is probably not a good idea to try it again.
I do hope I have been able to explain myself this time.

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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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

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

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