Connect
Tamoxifen prescribed after ADH (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia) diagnosis
I had a lumpectomy which revealed ADH. My doc started me on Tamoxifen. I was on it for 6 months, then had back to back surgeries for other issues so I had to go off of it. She wants me to go back on the drug but I'm hesitant. In the 6 months I was on it (at half dose) I gained a fatty liver, hot flashes, lost hair. Six months after going off of it, a test revealed a spot on my uterus and and an enlarged ovary. I had a hysterectomy that showed a polyp on my uterus that was hyperplasia. I apologize if this sounds whiney. I don't have the BRCA genes but my mother, aunt, grandmother, and cousin (all on the maternal side) have had breast cancer. My cousin took full dose Tamoxifen for 5 years and now has macular degeneration (unsure if Tamoxifen was the cause of course, but vision issues are another side effect). I am really stuck as to whether or not to take the drug. Again, I know many on here have had breast cancer so my apologies if this seems trivial in comparison. Would love to know if others are in a similar situation though, with taking it after ADH diagnosis. Thank you
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Connect
I think a common way to treat ADH is to have it removed. Lumpectomy is the recommended way. In my own case, surgeon recommended mastectomy so I just removed entire breast. But my surgical pathology did not find any ADH.
Thank you! My lumpectomy took care of removing the ADH but she wants me on the med as a precaution. I did ask about a mastectomy but she doesn't want to do that. I am considering getting a second opinion. Thank you again, I really appreciate the response. 🙂
I have LCIS and ADH. I am not taking Tamoxifen. I have Lupus and the side effects from the combination are too risky for me. So I am having a double mastectomy. It has not been scheduled yet. I am seeing a plastic surgeon and then by breast surgeon in April. If I only had ADH and they removed it all, I might would seek a second opinion. As I have researched both of my conditions, there are conflicting advice as to what to do. I believe I am being very proactive. I have heard of women who took Tamoxifen for 5 years and endured the side effects only to get breast cancer after those 5 years.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSo you had a mastectomy but nothing was found in the tissues? You didn’t really have anything wrong?
I had mastectomy was due to I already had lumpectomy for ADH a year ago and my breast is so flat and not much could be removed. Surgery said she might not able to remove all the ADH thus I agreed to have mastectomy which is a big surgery and I’m still dealing with post surgery issue.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes you are right. I had my moment of anger but had to let it go since no one was intentionally read biopsy wrong.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you so much for sharing your journey and your thoughts. This was helpful. Best wishes for a safe, successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Thank you for sharing. I hope you are soon able to get past the post surgery issue.
I am confused, what breast cancer did you have? Was this you your other breast?
I had mastectomy on my right breast a year ago for triple positive breast cancer. Same time, I had lumpectomy on left breast due to ADH. Recently doctors thought my left breast had ADH again from the biopsy. It ended up nothing and completely benign and no ADH residual at all. But I underwent a mastectomy for it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions