Tamoxifen and F.N.A.C. TEST

[sunny007]

My doc. says before starting treatment with tamoxifen u should go for F.n.a.c.(fine needle aspiration cytology). in which they will take sample of breast tissuse.
Is this for checking estrogen receptors in the breast ?
Doc. says that if u have normal amount of estrogen receptors in the breast , then their is no benefit in taking Tamoxifen. Is doc. saying right ?

[moobius]

FNAC sounds like it'll be painful... even with a small needle, the gland is tender and a biopsy will be unpleasant.

not sure what he means by if there's normal amount of estrogen receptors in the breast that nolva will be of no benefit - i'm assuming that if it's gotten to this point that he's already tested your estrodiol levels and they are within the normal range??? otherwise i'd insist on him starting there. regardless of the amount of estrogen receptors in the breast tissue, if your estrogen is high you're going to have more binding at the estro receptors in the breast tissue. if blood estrogen levels are normal (and test is normal as well), then it may be of value to biopsy the mam gland; BUT, i really i don't see the point. tamoxifen isn't going to get rid of the breast tissue whether you have normal levels of estrogen receptors or astronomically high levels in the gland. IMO, surgery and then if the doc wants a biopsy let him send the gland for test on his dime.