Hormone replacement therapy for survivors of breast and endometrial cancer.

Indirect evidence suggests that endogenous and exogenous estrogen does not influence the outcome of patients treated for breast or endometrial cancer. However, many reports have affirmed beneficial effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in preventing multiple disease states and improving the quality of life of individual patients. Every practitioner of urogynecology understands the benefits of local and systemic therapy to women who suffer from urinary incontinence and/or loss of pelvic floor support. Thus, it seems appropriate to suggest that survivors of breast or endometrial cancer who request information on HRT for relief of their menopausal symptoms and for other benefits, of which patients are becoming increasingly aware, deserve a comprehensive explanation.