OBJECTIVE: The antihormonal therapy of breast cancer patients with the antiestrogen tamoxifen often induces or aggravates menopausal complaints. As estrogen substitution is contraindicated, herbal alternatives, e.g. extracts of black cohosh are often used. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out in 50 breast cancer patients with tamoxifen treatment. All patients had had surgery, most of them had undergone radiation therapy (87%) and approximately 50% had received chemotherapy. Every patient was treated with an isopropanolic extract of black cohosh (1-4 tablets, 2.5 mg) for 6 months. Patients recorded their complaints before therapy and after 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy using the menopause rating scale (MRS II). RESULTS: The reduction of the total MRS II score under black cohosh treatment from 17.6 to 13.6 was statistically significant. Hot flashes, sweating, sleep problems, and anxiety improved, whereas urogenital and musculoskeletal complaints did not change. In all, 22 patients reported adverse events, none of which were linked with the study medication; 90% reported the tolerability of the black cohosh extract as very good or good. CONCLUSIONS: Black cohosh extract seems to be a reasonable treatment approach in tamoxifen treated breast cancer patients with predominantly psychovegetative symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: The antihormonal therapy of breast cancerpatients with the antiestrogen tamoxifen often induces or aggravates menopausal complaints. As estrogen substitution is contraindicated, herbal alternatives, e.g. extracts of black cohosh are often used. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out in 50 breast cancerpatients with tamoxifen treatment. All patients had had surgery, most of them had undergone radiation therapy (87%) and approximately 50% had received chemotherapy. Every patient was treated with an isopropanolic extract of black cohosh (1-4 tablets, 2.5 mg) for 6 months. Patients recorded their complaints before therapy and after 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy using the menopause rating scale (MRS II). RESULTS: The reduction of the total MRS II score under black cohosh treatment from 17.6 to 13.6 was statistically significant. Hot flashes, sweating, sleep problems, and anxiety improved, whereas urogenital and musculoskeletal complaints did not change. In all, 22 patients reported adverse events, none of which were linked with the study medication; 90% reported the tolerability of the black cohosh extract as very good or good. CONCLUSIONS: Black cohosh extract seems to be a reasonable treatment approach in tamoxifen treated breast cancerpatients with predominantly psychovegetative symptoms.
Authors: William I Fisher; Aimee K Johnson; Gary R Elkins; Julie L Otte; Debra S Burns; Menggang Yu; Janet S Carpenter Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2013-01-25 Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Julie L Otte; Janet S Carpenter; Shalini Manchanda; Kevin L Rand; Todd C Skaar; Michael Weaver; Yelena Chernyak; Xin Zhong; Christele Igega; Carol Landis Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2014-11-30 Impact factor: 4.452
Authors: Lynda G Balneaves; Dimitra Panagiotoglou; Alison S A Brazier; Leah K Lambert; Antony Porcino; Margaret Forbes; Cheri Van Patten; Tracy L O Truant; Dugald Seely; Dawn Stacey Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-06-08 Impact factor: 3.603