Tamoxifen Initiation After Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Abstract

Abstract Background. Endocrine therapy initiation after ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is highly variable and largely unexplained. National guidelines recommend considering tamoxifen for women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) DCIS or who undergo excision alone. We evaluated endocrine therapy use after DCIS over a 15-year period in an integrated health care setting to identify factors related to initiation. Methods. Female Group Health Cooperative enrollees ages 18–89 years with a DCIS diagnosis during 1996–2011 were eligible for inclusion. Endocrine therapy was identified through pharmacy records. Tumor and treatment information were from tumor registry reports; demographics and other risk factors were from questionnaires and electronic medical records. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for endocrine therapy initiation were calculated using multivariable generalized linear models. Results. We identified 727 women with a DCIS diagnosis, including 163 (22%) who initiated endocrine therapy (149 tamoxifen, 14 aromatase inhibitor). Younger women were more likely to initiate endocrine therapy (RR 1.69; 95% CI 1.16–2.46 for ages 45–54 vs. 65–74 years). Compared with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiation, women who had BCS alone (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25–0.84) or mastectomy (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.39–0.75) were less likely to use endocrine therapy. ER testing increased from 4% of DCIS cases in 2001 to 71% in 2011; however, endocrine therapy initiation decreased from 58% of ER+ DCIS in 2001–2005 to 37% in 2009–2011. Conclusion. Increasing ER testing since 2001 has not corresponded to parallel increases in endocrine therapy initiation. Age, surgery, and radiation were the primary factors associated with initiation.