Gall Bladder Stones Formation in Patients with Breast Cancer on Tamoxifen Therapy in Iraqi Female

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen has an estrogenic effect on the liver, lead to increase the danger of gallstone development. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gall bladder stones formation during tamoxifen therapy. METHODS: A prospective casecontrol study enrolled 14 premenopausal and 36 postmenopausal females. The gall bladder condition was assessed by abdominal ultrasound using “Alpinion Portable Color Doppler E-CUBE,” in addition, clinical parameters collected as age and weight of patients. RESULTS: Approximately, 14 (28%) of women were premenopausal their age ranged from (25 to 44) years, and 36 (72%) postmenopausal females their age was between (45 and 78) years. The duration of tamoxifen therapy was (range >–72) months, with 33 control cases. All cases examined by pelvic ultrasound, only 11 (22%) showed gall bladder stones. The gall bladder stones were diagnosed, in 4 of premenopausal, whereas seven patients were postmenopausal. There is a significant relation with gall bladder stones with increase body weight during therapy. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between gall bladder stones formation and tamoxifen therapy. Postmenopausal women have a higher risk of developing gall bladder stones formation.