title: Tamoxifen monotherapy in the treatment of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the therapeutic effect of tamoxifen monotherapy in patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2007 on, 31 patients with idiopathic RPF were treated with tamoxifen monotherapy. Follow-up investigations included magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory measurements, registration of side effects and changes or removal of ureteral stents. Data were stored in the Else Kröner-Fresenius Registry of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  25 men and 6 women with a mean age of 56.6 years were treated with tamoxifen monotherapy. Mean duration of treatment was 13.3 months, mean follow-up 26.8 months. A total of 44 renal units were affected by hydronephrosis and covered by DJ stents. Radiological regression of fibrosis was detected in 22 cases (71.0%); removal of ureteral stents was possible in 27/44 renal units (61.4%) and 17/29 patients (58.6%), respectively. Most patients showed only mild or no side effects of therapy. In 7 cases (22.3%) tamoxifen therapy had to be abandoned because of severe side effects, progression of fibrosis or persistent intolerance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tamoxifen is an alternative in the medical treatment of RPF, especially if patients want to avoid glucocorticoids. The potential of regression of fibrosis seems to be slightly inferior and the relapse rate is higher compared to steroids, but the rate of successful DJ removals is comparable.
authors: Department of Urology, HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal, University of Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
authors: Alexander Sascha
authors: AS
authors: Brandt
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Kamper
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Kukuk
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Haage
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Roth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005858:Germany; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015607:Stents; D013256:Steroids / Q000737:chemistry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids; D013629:Tamoxifen