Tamoxifen treatment of advanced breast carcinoma.

Abstract

Sixty postmenopausal patients with microscopically confirmed, progressive mammary carcinoma and local recurrence alone or in combination with distant metastases or with distant metastases only, not previously treated with cytostatics, were given tamoxifen (Nolvadex), 10 mg 3 times daily. The response rate in 37 evaluable patients was 48 per cent, with a median duration of the response of 26+ weeks. The effectiveness of the drug increased significantly with an increasing interval between primary treatment and the appearance of the first recurrence. No serious side effects occurred.