Ms. A, a 43-year-old woman with a history of dysthymia and major depression, had a normal baseline mammogram at age 35 and a normal repeat mammogram at age 40. There was no history of fibrocystic disease. Her menstrual periods were regular. She had gained approximately 6 lb and had subjective breast enlargement as a result of fluvoxamine therapy. Approximately 8 months after starting to take fluvoxamine, 50–100 mg/day, she had another routine mammogram.
The mammogram was interpreted as having "bilateral hyperdensities," and Ms. A was referred to a breast surgeon for consultation. No masses were found during palpation, and a 6-month follow-up mammogram was recommended. Ms. A chose to stop taking fluvoxamine because of concern that the mammoplasia and mammographic changes were related. A non-SSRI antidepressant was substituted, and her breasts returned to normal size. A 6-month follow-up mammogram was normal.
These effects are probably mediated by indirect inhibition of dopamine transmission by serotonin. As dopamine is inhibited, prolactin release is disinhibited. This report illustrates that SSRIs may cause not only mammoplasia but also mammographic changes. Clinicians should be aware of this possibility, because this effect can result not only in significant anxiety for the patient but also in referral for consultation with breast specialists who may not be aware of this association.
The clinical significance of these effects is not known. Concern has grown about the long-term risks for women of nonpuerperal elevation of prolactin levels, especially for those with a family history of breast cancer. Research is needed to assess if mammographic changes occur regularly along with mammoplasia associated with SSRI use and whether there are long-term risks associated with SSRI-induced mammoplasia.