A 48-year-old postmenopausal woman with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer is started on adjuvant tamoxifen. Which of the following adverse effects is she at an increased risk of developing due to this therapy?
- A Endometrial carcinoma ✓
- B Pulmonary fibrosis
- C Hemorrhagic cystitis
- D Dilated cardiomyopathy
Correct answer: A. Endometrial carcinoma
Explanation
Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that antagonizes estrogen receptors in breast tissue but acts as a partial agonist in the endometrium. This estrogenic effect stimulates the endometrial lining, increasing the risk of endometrial carcinoma. Hemorrhagic cystitis is caused by cyclophosphamide due to acrolein. Pulmonary fibrosis is a toxicity of bleomycin. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a dose-limiting toxicity of doxorubicin.
Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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