Flutamide-induced regression of angiofibroma.
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) appears to be an endocrine-responsive tumor. This concept was tested in five young men with JNA by treating them with a testosterone receptor blocker (flutamide) for 6 weeks preoperatively. Tumor size was evaluated by axial computed tomography both before and after flutamide therapy. Four of the five patients had an average tumor shrinkage of 44%. The patients tolerated the drug well, and the serum testosterone levels 2 or more years posttherapy were normal. This pilot study demonstrate that preoperative hormonal pharmacoreduction of JNA is a feasible adjunct to surgical therapy that offers the possibility of reduced blood loss. However, the authors believe that a formal clinical trial of this treatment approach is warranted and should be done before widespread adoption of this agent.
Gates
G A
GA
Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Rice
D H
DH
Koopmann
C F
CF
Schuller
D E
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005485:Flutamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011292:Premedication; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis; D012074:Remission Induction; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis
D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013739:Testosterone; D005485:Flutamide