Changes of sex hormones after ovarian function suppression in patients with breast cancer

Objective To retrospectively analyze the changes of sex hormones and prognosis in early-stage breast cancer patients positive for hormone receptor (HR) at different ages after ovarian function suppression (OFS) before menopause.

Methods A total of 144 breast cancer patients treated with goserelin were divided into ≤40 year old group (n=61) and >40 year old group (n=83). The clinicopathological materials, serum levels of sex hormones, survival events, menstrual recovery and incidence of adverse reactions of drugs were compared between the two groups.

Results There was a significant difference in body mass index between the two groups (P=0.003). There were significant differences in estradiol (E₂) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) between the two groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but no significant difference was found in luteinizing hormone (LH) (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and menstrual recovery between the two groups (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the incidence rates of fatigue and nausea between the two groups (P=0.011, 0.010).

Conclusion In breast cancer patients positive for HR before menopause, age can affect the efficacy of OFS by affecting the changes of E₂ and FSH, and the relationship of the hormonal changes of OFS with prognosis needs to be further studied.