title: Treatment of fibrocystic disease of the breast with gestrinone, a new trienic synthetic steroid with anti-estrogen, anti-progesterone properties.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with radiologically diagnosed fibrocystic disease were given twice weekly 5 mg tablets of Gestrinone, a synthetic contraceptive steroid with potent anti-estrogen, anti-progesterone properties, for periods ranging from 3 to 9 months. Treatment was discontinued when the nodularity disappeared and the patient became asymptomatic. Twelve patients had palpable nodules or masses in both breasts, while the remaining 16 had a single nodule or lump. In 12 patients, all with small nodules or lumps, complete elimination of nodularity occurred at the end of the first 3 months of treatment. In a further eight patients, five of whom had small nodules and three of whom had large ones, an additional 3 months of therapy were required to achieve complete elimination of nodularity. In two subjects, nodularity was eliminated at the end of 9 months of therapy, and in the remaining six subjects, although a reduction in nodularity greater than 50% occurred, masses remained palpable at the end of 9 months. Pain and tenderness were eliminated during the first 2 weeks of therapy in most cases. The most common complaints were acne and seborrhea (70% of patients) and a weight gain of between 2 and 5 kg in patients treated for 9 months. Main side effects encountered were acne and seborrhea.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005867:Gestrinone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D009651:Norpregnatrienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D009651:Norpregnatrienes; D005867:Gestrinone; D011374:Progesterone