Role of tamoxifen and danazol in mastalgia: prospective controlled trial

Abstract

Background:Mastalgia is one of the most common presenting symptoms of benign breast diseases, which may be cyclical or continuous. Mastalgia is the commonest breast symptom presenting in surgical clinics. Mastalgia is a symptom of great importance to those who experience it. These have been tendencies to ignore the condition, however, the relative reluctance of the patient due to the nature of disease and the antipathy towards the disease that has prevailed in our society has led to little scope of therapy. Works of some senior have added to misery of such patients. To study role of tamoxifen and danazol in mastalgia is the main objective of the present study.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized control trial done in outpatient department (OPD) of Department of Surgery, UP, RIMS & R, Saifai, Etawah from July 2014-December 2015 i.e. 18 months. All patients coming to OPD in first 15 days of month s were given danazol 200 mg/day   for a period of two months. All those coming in next half were treated with tamoxifen 20 mg/day for two months.

Results:Danazol when used is effective in achieving complete or partial response in 70.83% of cyclic mastalgia when given in dose of 200 mg/day for two months. However 29.17% patients did not respond to it. Tamoxifen when used  is effective in achieving complete or partial response in 66.67% of cyclical mastalgia when given in dose of 20 mg/day for two months. However 33.33% patients did not respond to it.

Conclusions:Our study shows danazol treatment is more effective in treatment of cyclic mastalgia. Non cyclic mastalgia is difficult type to be cured by drug therapy.