Tamoxifen & Abnormal Vaginal Bleed

[Irishgal2]

Hi All,

I had stage 1, grade 3 ductual cancer diagnoised in March 07.  I have been on Tamoxifen since Nov 07.  I am 42 years old and premenopausal (just got blood work results back today to confirm this).  I was due my period around 6/7th July and it started on time with the usual brown spotting.  However the bleeding did get slightly heavier but never seem to develop into the usual periods.  I have had the brown like of blood for over 3 weeks now.  I have organised a pelvic ultrasound for Tuesday.  

What is the chances this could be uterine cancer?  What else could it be?  What questions do I ask at the ultrasound?

Thanks.

[SueYoung55]

BRCA genetic mutations effect women with ER and PR positive cancers as well as triple negative cancers without any discrimination.  One is not exclusive of the other. This is a special test and only one company does it in the US and that's Myriad. Ask your doctor, please.

If you'd like to find out more information please check out some of the info at www.facingourrisk.org. There is also info on trials going on for young women like you.

Best wishes :)

[lhughes]

I'm 40 and have been on Tamoxifen for 3 years now and it has really screwed up my periods this past year.  I had myself checked for perimenopause and that was a big ole NO.  My cycles range from 21 days to 42 days and the bleeding is never the same (or rarely) and very much like you described some months.  My doc said it was just one of those side-effects of Tamoxifen.  I had an endometrial biopsy done this past spring, also negative.

Probably your case also, but always good to go get it checked out.  I get my blood markers checked every 6 months by my oncologist, too.  So far, so good.  I'm 4 years out this September and look forward to many more years of bloodwork and Tamoxifen.  Good luck to you!

[Irishgal2]

Thanks for your feedback. I am counting the hours to the transvaginal ultrasound on Tuesday morning and both my husband and I are on edge and facing into a bank holiday tensions are high.

My BC was ER+ and PR+, so no BRCA gene. Thanks for the tip on the CA125 blood test.  Surpised my doctor did not mentioned it on Monday as I had my full bloods done as I have an underactive thyroid function.  I did get my menopausal status changed.  All bloods came back fine.

Next time I get my bloods done I will ask about CA125.  Does it have another name also and what does it check for?

Tks

[SueYoung55]

I think that's a very smart route to take. Tamoxifen causes so many side effects it's always smart to err on the side of caution. The transvaginal ultrasound is a good choice. I'd also ask for a CA125 blood test even though they are not something I'd rely solely on but you should get this done every year or since you're so young with breast cancer, I'd say more than once a year. I'd also have the BRCA genetic mutation testing done since you got BC at such a young age and are still premenopausal. A BRCA savvy genetic counselor could help you decide if you need that and also the risks associated with the mutations, if you have one. I'd also see if your insurance would cover a PET scan which would examine your whole body.

Let us know how the transvaginal US goes. Very best wishes to you :)