Tamoxifen: an overview of recent studies in the field of oncology.

The safety and efficacy of tamoxifen, administered as a single agent in the palliative treatment of advanced breast cancer, are well-established. The role of tamoxifen as part of combined modality treatment still needs to be fully investigated, as does its usefulness as an adjuvant to mastectomy. The use of tamoxifen for tumors other than those in the breast is as yet not clearly defined. Results currently available in these areas are reviewed here.