The association of the antidepressant paroxetine with breast cancer as published by Cotterchio et al in 2000 caused a fair bit of controversy. In her article and subsequent letters to the editors, it was pointed out that the connection must be confirmed in a larger study as this one had only nine cases of patients on this drug. There is some biologic plausibility of paroxetine being a cancer promoter because it stimulates prolactin secretion, but this association with antidepressants requires further study. BC.

References:
Cotterchio M et al. Am J Epidemiol 2000;151:951-7.
Bahl S et al. Psychother Psychosom 2003;72:185-94.