Timing of adjuvant chemotherapy by menstrual cycle phase and risk of secondary amenorrhea in women with early breast cancer: Preliminary results. A. Alimonti, S. Di Cosimo, G. Ferretti, P. Carlini, P. Papaldo, A. Fabi, A. Gelibter, I. Sperduti, L. Di Lauro, F. Cognetti; Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy Abstract: Background: Chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA), with resulting infertility and prolonged exposure to risks and symptoms of menopause, has been receiving increasing attention in recent years. Our purpose was to characterize the factors associated with CIA and examine whether the phase of menstrual cycle at chemotherapy start can affect the rate of CIA in premenopausal early breast cancer women. Methods: CIA was defined as the cessation of menses for at least 3 months during or soon after chemotherapy. Menstrual phase was defined as days 1-6; follicular phase as days 7-14; luteal phase as days 15-20 and premenstrual phase as days 21-28. Type and duration of adjuvant therapy were recorded. Results: Among 88 premenopausal patients, univariate analysis showed no significant correlation between CIA and age, tumor size, number of axillary nodes, stage of disease and receptor status. CIA occurred in 45% and 47% of patients receiving intravenous CMF (Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, Methotrexate 40 mg/m2, 5-Fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 q 28 x 6 cycles) and FEC/EC respectively (5-Fluorouracil 600 mg/m2, Epirubicin 75 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 day 1 q 21 x 6 cycles/Epirubicin 90 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 day 1 q 21 x 4 cycles)(p=0.88), with a median time to onset of 85.5 (range 42-140) and 52.6 (range 21-84) days (p=0.15), respectively. Women aged less than 40 years or more than or equal to 40 years developed CIA on average after 2.8 and 3.1 courses, respectively (p=0.71). The duration of chemotherapy (more or less than 6 courses) affected neither the rate nor the time of CIA development. The incidence of CIA was higher for patients treated in the follicular phase rather than in the other menstrual cycle phases (68% and 43%, p=0.02). By multivariate analysis this difference reached values close to statistical significance (p=0.06). Conclusions: An enhanced ability to predict the likelihood of CIA may facilitate decision-making facing the tradeoffs between beneficial and detrimental effects of adjuvant therapy, especially in young patients with good prognosis Abstract No: 780 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.