[Comparison between the roles of aminoglutethimide and hydroxyprogesterone caproates in the treatment of endometrial cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the changes of serum levels and tissue receptor levels of estrogen and progesterone as well as histopathological changes following treatments of endometrial cancer with aminoglutethimide (AG), progesterone caproate, or a combination of both.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients of endometrial cancer were treated with hydroxyprogesterone caproate, AG or combination of both, and their effects were compared.


RESULTS
It was observed that: (1) the administration of AG gave a fall of estradiol and progesterone serum levels; hydroxyprogesterone caproates therapy increased the level of progesterone; and following the combination treatment, higher progesterone and lower estradiol levels were found (P < 0.05), (2) treatments by AG as well as by combination therapy brought about a considerable fall of the positive rate of ER and PR in tissues (P < 0.05), (3) histological changes showed inhibition of cell growths in all three types of treatment, secretory cells and decidual reaction were shown under the influence of hydroxyprogesterone caproates, the changes in combination therapy mainly complied with those in AG treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that AG was effective in treating patients with endometrial cancer, resulting in changes of endocrine environments and inhibition of cell growth by mechanism different from that of hydroxyprogesterone caproates.
Liu
X S
XS
Obstetric and Gynecologic Hospital of Shanghai Medical University.
Zhang
X
X
D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol