title: Brief communication: tamoxifen therapy for nonmalignant retroperitoneal fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anecdotal case reports suggest tamoxifen as a possible treatment for retroperitoneal fibrosis, but a systematic assessment of its effect is not available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the course and outcomes of patients with nonmalignant retroperitoneal fibrosis treated with tamoxifen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, consecutive series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single tertiary care referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  19 patients with nonmalignant retroperitoneal fibrosis treated with tamoxifen from April 1998 through April 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tamoxifen, 20 mg orally twice daily.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical improvement, laboratory variables, and follow-up computed tomography (CT) and gallium scan findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients reported substantial resolution of symptoms after a median treatment duration of 2.5 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein also improved. Gallium scanning at follow-up showed incomplete disappearance of pathologic gallium-67 activity. Repeated CT scanning showed slow but steady mass regression in 14 of 15 clinical responders. Five patients failed treatment, including 1 patient who improved clinically. Disease recurred in 1 patient who responded to reintroduction of tamoxifen. One patient developed reversible hepatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This small observational study did not have a control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tamoxifen may be a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. e.f.h.vanbommel@asz.nl
authors.forename: Eric F H
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: van Bommel
authors.forename: Tadek R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hendriksz
authors.forename: Antonius W L C
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Huiskes
authors.forename: Antoine G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zeegers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D013629:Tamoxifen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein