Abstract

Following treatment of genital tract cancer, women are often left in an estrogen-deficient state suffering both short- and long-term effects which markedly reduce the quality of life. In the belief that sex hormones may induce an adverse effect on all these women, attending physicians often refuse to prescribe hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). In an attempt to introduce a rational approach to this problem the effect of sex hormones on genital tract cancer growth is reviewed and some general guidelines for administering sex hormones to women following treatment for genital tract cancer are developed. A plea is made to improve the well-being of patients following cancer treatment by considering the judicious use of appropriate hormonal therapy, including estrogens.