Sex hormones in breast disease

Abstract

Serum concentrations of oestradiol 17beta and progesterone were measured daily throughout one menstrual cycle in 32 normal women, 32 women with benign disease of the breast and 10 women with cancer of the breast. In normal women concentrations varied with age. Women with cysts had concentrations of oestradiol 17beta which were significantly higher than normal. In women with cancer the concentrations of oestradiol 17beta and progesterone were significantly higher than normal, but the difference was very small and much larger numbers of patients need to be studied. Concentrations of oestradiol 17beta and progesterone in postmenopausal women were consistently very low.

Epidemiology and endocrinology of benign breast disease

“…In contrast to the claims that progesterone is low during the luteal phase, England et al [50] reported elevated luteal progesterone in a small group of women with cystic disease aged 40-50 years. The third possibility that progesterone levels are normal, has been reported by Swain et al [186], England et al [50], Geller et al [67], and Walsh et al [198].…”

“…The third possibility that progesterone levels are normal, has been reported by Swain et al [186], England et al [50], Geller et al [67], and Walsh et al [198].…”

The RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 17β‐HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY AND OESTROGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN HUMAN BREAST TUMOURS AND IN NORMAL BREAST TISSUE

“…Pollow et al (1977) found maximum activity in normal breast tissue at mid cycle and during the early secretory phase. While progesterone may effect an increase in I7pHSD activity in premenopausal women, it is unlikely that the same will be true for postmenopausal women since circulating progesterone concentrations are very low (England et al, 1975). At present however, no data are available for progesterone concentrations in breast tumours or normal breast tissue.…”

Toremifene use does not alter serum inhibin A and B levels during mid-luteal phase in women with premenstrual mastalgia

“…Several hormonal imbalances with potential causative roles in cyclic mastalgia have been investigated, with contradictory results [5]. Potential candidates include absolute or relative hyperestrogenism [6], luteal insufficiency [7], hyper-prolactinemia [8], and hyperandrogenism [9]. However, premenstrual mastalgia is unequivocally worsened by exogenous estrogens and improved by suppression or elimination of the ovarian cycle [4].…”