Alveolar soft-part sarcoma: a hormone-sensitive tumour?
Alveolar soft-part sarcoma is a rare, slow-growing, malignant tumour which metastasizes frequently to the lungs. Treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy is largely ineffective, and most patients die within 4 years of developing metastases. We report an unusual patient who survived 9 years after detection of pulmonary metastases. Initial treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy was ineffective. However, during subsequent treatment with Chinese herbs when she developed galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea (probably due to drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia), her lung metastases regressed, and it is likely that this contributed to her prolonged survival. We hypothesize that alveolar soft-part sarcoma may be a hormone-sensitive tumour, and hormonal manipulation may be an alternative form of treatment which is worth considering.
Pang
J A
JA
Department of Medicine, Chinese University, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Yeung
T F
TF
Cockram
C S
CS
D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal