Regression of breast cancer in four patients treated with tamoxifen: mammographic features.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the regression of breast cancer as seen on mammograms of women treated with tamoxifen. Four elderly patients 72-88 years old were diagnosed with breast cancer on the basis of mammographic features. No surgery was performed because of multiple medical problems. Tamoxifen was initiated and the patients were closely monitored with physical examination and mammography for a minimum of 2 years. In all cases, the features of malignancy seen on mammograms regressed. These results were documented by a decrease in the number of calcifications and in the size of spiculated masses. These results suggest that tamoxifen, or one of its metabolites, may alter the biochemical nature of breast cancer.