Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients with climacteric complaints - a prospective observational study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients with climacteric complaints - a prospective observational study

AU - Rostock, Matthias

AU - Fischer, Julia

AU - Mumm, Andreas

AU - Stammwitz, Ute

AU - Saller, Reinhard

AU - Bartsch, Hans Helge

PY - 2011/10

Y1 - 2011/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/adverse effects

KW - Anxiety/chemically induced

KW - Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy

KW - Cimicifuga/chemistry

KW - Estrogen Antagonists/adverse effects

KW - Female

KW - Hot Flashes/chemically induced

KW - Humans

KW - Menopause/drug effects

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Patient Dropouts

KW - Phytotherapy/adverse effects

KW - Plant Extracts/adverse effects

KW - Rhizome/chemistry

KW - Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/adverse effects

KW - Sleep Wake Disorders/chemically induced

KW - Sweating/drug effects

KW - Tamoxifen/adverse effects

U2 - 10.3109/09513590.2010.538097

DO - 10.3109/09513590.2010.538097

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 21231853

VL - 27

SP - 844

EP - 848

JO - GYNECOL ENDOCRINOL

JF - GYNECOL ENDOCRINOL

SN - 0951-3590

IS - 10

ER -