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Q: Does Tamoxifen Cause Liver Cancer
asked by: blueskyred on July 13th, 2007
New User
Hi there. My sister in low has a early stage breast cancer and is taking tamoxifen pills. I was doing some research on the net and found out that tamoxifen can cause liver cancer. Is this true ? What is the connection between tamoxifen and liver cancer ? thanks
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MandMs
replied on September 13th, 2007
Extremely eHealthy
Hi!
It is not known Tamoxifen to cause liver cancer in humans. Sometimes it can cause other liver toxicities in patients, which can be severe or life threatening. Blood tests are usually performed from time to time to check liver function.
I'm sure your sister in low will find Tamoxifen beneficial. There are clinical evidences, about tamoxifen used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, that showed reduced risk of recurrence of the original cancer and also reduced risk of developing new cancers in the other breast.
Best wishes!
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lrn10
replied on January 18th, 2008
New User
Tamoxifen
My mother was taking Tamoxifen for 5 years after having breast cancer. She was just diagnosed with primary liver cancer. It was not metastatic cancer. I believe the tamoxifen caused her liver cancer. She had no previous liver damage. She did drink alchohol but not heavily. I would be careful while on Tamoxifen and make sure to have tests done to monitor how this drug is affecting your body. Another women I know who took Tamoxifen also for 5 years, had to have a hysterectomy due to suspicious changes in her uterus. I think there needs to be more research on this drug.
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jennyr
replied on February 6th, 2008
New User
Liver cancer and tamoxifen
My mother took part in a tamoxifen trial in the UK. She had had a very early stages lump removed from one breast with an excellent prognosis as it was such early stages.

Anyway, she agreed to take part in a 5 year tamoxifen trial. In the following year after the end of the trial she was diagnosed with cancer. She had multiple liver metastases. They did a liver biopsy but were not able to make a diagnosis of the primary source. She died within 3 months of diagnosis of this incredibly aggressive cancer. Also, while she was on tamoxifen she had to have a hysterectomy (very common as it affects the lining of the womb. Also had cataracts, I think this is common on this drug too.

She was incredibly fit and health with no cancer in her side of the family. Don't risk it. My mother would have been better off not taking tamoxifen. Even if the breast cancer had come back, she would have had a much better prognosis as it's more treatable.
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callye
replied on February 6th, 2009
New User
Don't take Tamoxifen!!!!
Do not take tamoxifen.....EVER!!!!! My mother took it for 5 years as well and the longer you take it, the more severe the problems. She was diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer that almost took her life. She had a full hysterectomy and has a 40% chance of it coming back in her liver, brain, etc. She also has developed cataracts and just been given the news that she has thryroid cancer. The doctors told her all of this was a direct link to tamoxifen. Please, please, wahtever you do, stay away from this drug.
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kdoodah
replied on March 11th, 2009
New User
what should I do?
I have been taking tamoxifen since July, I am so scared to take it and to not take it, I just stopped taking it for 2 days so I can take a major exam at the end of the week. I feel so much better, my liver feels achy I have never had pain there before. I don't want to seem like a hypochondriac now after being an 8 month cancer survivor.
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Peggie08
replied on March 27th, 2009
New User
tamoxifen
Has anyone experienced a large abdomen from taking tamoxifen? When I back off from it for a couple of days my abdomen goes flat. My liver aches from time to time. I have been taking this for 13 months and I cannot take arimidex. I was having excruciating bone pain and muscle spasms. My mom took tamoxifen for 5 years and she made it through okay but it is really scary. I had a high grade tumor which was low estrogen receptor positive but the doc says I still need to take it.
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BlueDesertFlower
replied on May 28th, 2009
New User
I decided to stay away from tamoxifen
Feb 2006, I had a stage 1 breast cancer. I had 2 tumors at my right breast. I had mastectomy and radiation therapy. taking or not tamixofen was not an easy decision. There was the doctors pressure, the family worries and worst of all my own conscience.I battled with my "internal fears" for months. Was I making the right choice? After all the doctors are the "experts". I have 2 boys (4 and Cool. I had the responsibility to stay alive. Then I decided that with tamoxifen the only guarantee I had was a 5 years survival. I was healthy, happy and full of determination. I decided that I wanted to live to see my boys as men and my grand children. I decided that tamixofen was not an option as it was only offering a miserable 5 years with loads of risks, treatments inconvinience. I realised that whatever my decision I will always asking myself if it was the right decision. Then I decided to move beyong my fears and to give myy body a chance to repare itself. We are now 3 years later. I feel healthier than I have ever been. I'm more fit than I have ever been (Gym on a daily basis). I eat healthy diet, with loads of fruits and vegetables. I'm looking for internal peace and I'm looking forward to the next 20 years eagerly.
It doesn't matter how long I will live. But I'm now leaving the most beautifull years of my life.

Love.
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michael56
replied on August 12th, 2009
New User
my wife was dx breast cancer in 1998, had to have a mastectomy but didn't need chemo or radio and took tamoxifen and even went on the trials for it. that finished a while back and these last few months she has been having considerable pain in her hips/knees. her gp decided to do blood a analysis and she has been told she has borderline changes in her liver for which they want to retest in 3 months....she doesn't drink alcohol so is it the tamoxifen?she' 54 and soon to be a grandma.
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beaton33
replied on September 7th, 2009
New User
My mom is dying right in front of me and my sisters and I think it was the tamoxifen. She took it for 5 years and had been off of it for a year. Earlier this year she suddenly developed ascites and was told she had cirrhosis. My mom has never been a drinker and does not have hepatitis. The only 2 things she ever took long term were hormones after menopause which her surgeon said likley caused her breast cancer and then the tamoxifen to prevent cancer. Well after months of seeing her decline, countless doctors and finally an MRI and ct, 2 weeks ago we were told she has cancer in her lungs, lymph nodes and brain. So not only did the tamoxifen not prevent cancer, my sisters and I are convinced it destroyed her liver and caused the cancer. Doctors are baffled at what could have happened to my mom, they say they can't figure out what happened. As far as I'm concerned, the tamoxifen happened.
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beaton33
replied on September 15th, 2009
New User
Update on my earlier post. My mother passed away and the official cause of death was liver cancer. My sisters and I are convinced it was the tamoxifen.
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madimelissa
replied on September 26th, 2009
New User
TAMOXIFEN KILLS!!
NO TAMOXIFEN!!!!

My mom had the smallest tumor you could possibly detect which was breast cancer and all of her surrounding lymph nodes were fine.. 5 years on tamoxifen and 5 years later she had cancer in her liver and lungs and ied a year later... she was healthy her entire life... please don NOT take this deadly drug!!
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