Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

Estrogen Therapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients Shows Promise but Faces Hesitation from Clinicians

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Investigators at the University of Rochester published a new report on the use of estrogen therapy in patients with gynecologic cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the practice patterns of gynecologists and oncologists in the United States regarding the prescription of estrogen therapy to patients with a history of endometrial, epithelial ovarian, or cervical cancer. The results showed that despite evidence suggesting its safety, many clinicians are hesitant to prescribe estrogen therapy due to various reasons.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 293 participants responded to the survey, with 63.82% (187/293) indicating a willingness to provide estrogen therapy for endometrial cancer patients, 65.19% (176/270) for epithelial ovarian cancer patients, and 96.8% (274/283) for cervical cancer patients.
  • Gynecologic oncology providers were more likely than obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) to prescribe estrogen therapy for endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancer patients.
  • The most common reasons for not prescribing estrogen therapy were the belief that hormones are contraindicated, better options exist, and the risk outweighs benefits, more frequently cited by OBGYNs than gynecologic oncologists.
  • The study suggests a need for clinician education to ensure patients are appropriately counseled about options for treating menopausal symptoms.
  • The study authors include Myla Strawderman, Jamie L. McDowell, Sarah J. Betstadt, and Richard G. Moore.
  • The study was published in Menopause-the Journal of the Menopause Society in 2025.

Statistics:

  • 63.82% (187/293) of participants indicated a willingness to provide estrogen therapy for endometrial cancer patients.
  • 65.19% (176/270) of participants indicated a willingness to provide estrogen therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer patients.
  • 96.8% (274/283) of participants indicated a willingness to provide estrogen therapy for cervical cancer patients.
  • Gynecologic oncology providers were more likely than OBGYNs to prescribe estrogen therapy for endometrial cancer patients (P = 0.0006) and epithelial ovarian cancer patients (P = 0.0009).
  • 51.7% (153/293) of OBGYNs and 32.7% (96/293) of gynecologic oncologists reported that they did not prescribe estrogen therapy to endometrial cancer patients.
  • 59.6% (170/285) of OBGYNs and 45.8% (123/270) of gynecologic oncologists reported that they did not prescribe estrogen therapy to epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Sources:

  • Menopause-the Journal of the Menopause Society, 2025. Estrogen therapy in patients with gynecologic cancer: a survey of gynecologists and oncologists in the United States. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.
  • University of Rochester, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology.

Read more