HYPERTROPHY AND HYPERPLASIA OF ISLETS OF LANGERHANS ASSOCIATED WITH ANDROGEN THERAPY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 103  (9) , 483-485
Abstract
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the islets of Langerhans were observed in 3 patients treated with androgen-anabolic steroids for aplastic anemia. These patients formed a unique subset of patients with aplastic anemia in that they all had Fanconi''s anemia, all demonstrated glucose intolerance following institution of androgen therapy, all had received androgen for at least 42 mo. prior to death and all had coexistent benign liver cell tumors. Androgen-induced glucose intolerance may play a major role in the pathogenesis of the pancreatic and hepatic abnormalities.