Medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium who wish to preserve the uterus-usefulness and limitations.
BACKGROUND
To determine the effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy for women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who wish to preserve their uterus.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with endometrial carcinoma (12 with grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma. 2 with grade 2 adenocarcinoma and 1 with adenoacanthoma) were treated with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate alone as primary therapy and their clinical responses evaluated.


RESULTS
Seven of the 12 cases (58%) with grade I adenocarcinoma and one of the two (50%) with grade 2 carcinoma responded initially to medroxyprogesterone acetate. The median length of treatment required for regression was 29 weeks. Three patients who initially responded relapsed. Thirteen patients are alive without evidence of disease as of December 1999 (10 to 146 months, median; 4 years and 11 months) and one is continuing medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy as a final follow-up. One patient was lost to follow-up. Two patients have conceived having three healthy infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of endometrial carcinoma with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate could be an alternative to hysterectomy, although the successful rate is limited.
Imai
M
M
Department of Clinical Cytology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kitasato University, Kanagawa-ken, Japan.
Jobo
T
T
Sato
R
R
Kawaguchi
M
M
Kuramoto
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate