Tibolone and Breast Tissue: a Review

Abstract

The safety profile of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on breast is still controversial. Tibolone is an option of treatment for climacteric syndrome of postmenopausal women. Its risk profile on breast is debated. This is an updated narrative review focusing on the impact of tibolone on breast. Particularly, we will report data from major preclinical and clinical studies regarding the effects of the use of this compound on breast tissue and breast density. Moreover, we will analyze and discuss the most relevant findings of the principal studies evaluating the relationship between tibolone and breast cancer risk. Our purpose is making all clinicians who are particularly involved in women's health more aware of the effects of this compound on breast and, thus, more experienced in the management of menopausal symptoms with this drug. According to the available literature, tibolone seems to be characterized by an interesting safety profile on breast tissue.

Tibolone and Breast Cancer

“…Tibolone, a selective tissue estrogenic activity regulator, is one of the treatment options for menopause symptoms, but it has distinct pharmacological and clinical characteristics compared to EPT [ 9 10 11 12 13 14 ]. Tibolone is thought to reduce estrogen activity in breast tissue [ 15 16 17 18 ], which in fact causes less breast tenderness and does not increase mammographic density [ 19 20 21 22 23 24 ], a well-defined risk factor for breast cancer in clinical practice [ 25 26 ]. However, tibolone’s effects on breasts are still unclear.…”