Hormone replacement therapy in oncological patients

Abstract

Introduction: Early diagnosis and advances in treatment lines have led to a significant increase in survival in cancer patients, which represents an increase in needs that require individualized attention.

Objective: To carry out a review of published articles on the topic of hormone replacement therapy in cancer patients.

Methods: A review of the available literature was carried out in PubMed database of articles published in English from 2000 to 2022, with the MESH terms 'Estrogen Replacement Therapy' AND 'Genital Neoplasms, Female' AND 'Salpingo-oophorectomy'.

Results: The treatment of menopause in oncology patients has always been a challenge due to the hormonal dependence of most neoplasms of the female genital tract. Individualized decision-making about the use of hormone replacement therapy must balance the significant improvement in the quality of life of patients who have suffered early menopause due to oncological treatment with the risk of cancer recurrence.

Conclusions. It is essential to keep life quality and minimize physical and psychological impact of treatment side effects, therefore, the decision for or against hormone replacement therapy must be based on the available evidence.