From the Research
Taking estrogen while having lymphoma requires careful medical supervision, and the most recent and highest quality study suggests that estrogen therapy does not strongly influence the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 1.
Key Considerations
- The decision to use estrogen therapy in patients with lymphoma depends on the specific type of lymphoma, its stage, current treatment plan, and overall health status.
- Some lymphomas can be hormone-sensitive, and estrogen could potentially influence cell growth in certain types of lymphoma.
- Alternative treatments for managing symptoms might be recommended instead of estrogen.
- Regular monitoring would be necessary if estrogen therapy is approved.
Evidence Summary
- A 2016 study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that menopausal estrogen therapy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have no significant association, with a hazard ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 0.74-1.39) for estrogen alone and 0.98 (95% CI 0.76-1.28) for estrogen plus progestin 1.
- Other studies have shown mixed results, but the most recent and highest quality study suggests that estrogen therapy does not increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Recommendations
- Patients with lymphoma should consult their oncologist before using any estrogen therapy.
- The oncologist may need to coordinate with the primary care physician or gynecologist if estrogen is being considered for menopausal symptoms, contraception, or other conditions.
- Never start, stop, or modify any hormone therapy without explicit guidance from the oncology team, as this could interfere with lymphoma treatment or recovery.