Treatment of fibrocystic disease of the breast with gestrinone, a new trienic synthetic steroid with anti-estrogen, anti-progesterone properties

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Abstract
Patients (28) with radiologically diagnosed fibrocystic disease were given twice weekly 5 mg tablets of gestrinone, asynthetic contraceptive steriod with potent antiestrogen, anti-progesterone properties, for periods ranging from 3-9 mo. 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 1st 3 mo. of treatment. In a further 8 patients, 5 of whom had small nodules and 3 of whom had large ones, an additional 3 mo. of therapy were required to achieve complete elimination of nodularity. In 2 subjects, nodularity was eliminated at the end of 9 mo. of therapy, and in the remaining 6 subjects, although a reduction in nodularity > 50% occurred, masses remained palpable at the end of 9 mo. Pain and tenderness were eliminated during the 1st 2 wk 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 mo. Main side effects encountered were acne and seborrhea.