Which of the following is a common side effect of systemic hormone therapy?

Which of the following is a common side effect of systemic hormone therapy?

• A. Weight gain
• B. Headache
• C. Breast tenderness
• D. Nausea

Answer: (C)

Breast tenderness appears with systemic hormone therapy because estrogen acts directly on breast tissue. Estrogen receptors in the breast respond to circulating estrogen by promoting growth and fluid changes in the ductal-lobular structures, which commonly leads to tenderness, fullness, or swelling. This side effect is frequently reported soon after starting therapy and is a well-recognized, typical reaction to systemic estrogen exposure. Other listed effects can occur with hormone therapy as well, but are less consistently linked to the therapy in the same way. Weight changes, headaches, and nausea can happen, but breast tenderness most reliably reflects the breast tissue’s response to estrogen.

Breast tenderness appears with systemic hormone therapy because estrogen acts directly on breast tissue. Estrogen receptors in the breast respond to circulating estrogen by promoting growth and fluid changes in the ductal-lobular structures, which commonly leads to tenderness, fullness, or swelling. This side effect is frequently reported soon after starting therapy and is a well-recognized, typical reaction to systemic estrogen exposure.

Other listed effects can occur with hormone therapy as well, but are less consistently linked to the therapy in the same way. Weight changes, headaches, and nausea can happen, but breast tenderness most reliably reflects the breast tissue’s response to estrogen.