USE OF THE PROGESTOGEN CHALLENGE TEST TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (6) , 732-738
Abstract
In contrast to several retrospective studies reporting an increased risk of endometrial cancer during the mid-1970s, especially in estrogen-treated postmenopausal women, the number of cancers at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center [Texas, USA] has steadily declined despite continued estrogen use. In a 4-yr study from 1975-1978, there were 17 adenocarcinomas of the endometrium during 10,872 patient-years of observation, for an overall annual incidence of 156.4:100,000 women. The highest incidence of endometrial cancer (359.1:100,000) was found in those women using estrogens alone. The lowest incidence of cancer was observed in the estrogen-progestogen users (56.4:100,000) and was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that found in the estrogen users. The incidence of corpus malignancy in the estrogen-progestogen users was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that observed in the untreated women (248.3:100,000). The progestogen challenge test was devised to identify postmenopausal women at greatest risk for endometrial adenocarcinoma. The use of this test will reduce the risk of endometrial cancer in estrogen-treated postmenopausal women and women with increased endogenous estrogens.