Diethylstilbestrol
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Synthetic oestrogen used between the 1940's and 1970s as a treatment for morning sickness and to reduce the rate of miscarriage (despite little evidence that it was effective in either condition[1][2]). It was withdrawn in 1971 for these indications due to adverse effects in the mothers themselves[3] as well as in children born to mothers who had been on DES. It is still used today in a small number of cases of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
In female children, an increased risk of vaginal cancer was noted and several studies have shown an association with breast cancer, [4] [5] [6] with a further recent study supporting a link.[7] [8].
Some male children suffered from urogenital abnormalities, testicular cancer and fertility problems.
Contents |
Preparations
There are several esters so it can be adminstered orally or parentally depending upon indication
Indications
Rarely used given side effect profile
- Carcinoma prostate 1-3mg od
- Postmenopausal woman with breast cancer 10-20mg od
External links
- DES Action UK charity
- Fetal and maternal risks of diethystilboestrol exposure in pregnancy RCOG document
References
- ↑ DIECKMANN WJ, DAVIS ME, RYNKIEWICZ LM, POTTINGER RE. Does the administration of diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy have therapeutic value? American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 1953;66:1062-81.
- ↑ The use of hormones in the management of pregnancy in diabetics. Lancet. 1955 Oct 22;269(6895):833-6. No abstract available.
- ↑ Greenberg ER, Barnes AB, Resseguie L, Barrett JA, Burnside S, Lanza LL, Neff RK, Stevens M, Young RH, Colton T. Breast cancer in mothers given diethylstilbestrol in pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 1984 Nov 29;311(22):1393-8.
- ↑ Malone KE. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and breast cancer. Epidemiol Rev. 1993;15(1):108-9.
- ↑ Titus-Ernstoff L, Hatch EE, Hoover RN, Palmer J, Greenberg ER, Ricker W, Kaufman R, Noller K, Herbst AL, Colton T, Hartge P. Long-term cancer risk in women given diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy. Br J Cancer. 2001 Jan 5;84(1):126-33.
- ↑ Mano MS, Kerr J, Kennedy J. Management of breast cancer in patients prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol: are we prepared? Breast. 2005 Oct;14(5):408-10.
- ↑ Palmer JR, Wise LA, Hatch EE, Troisi R, Titus-Ernstoff L, Strohsnitter W, et al. Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and risk of breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15:1509-14. (Direct link – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ netdoctor article on link to breast cancer
