THE USE OF ESTROGENS AND ANDROGENS IN ADVANCED MAMMARY CANCER

Abstract

Estrogens and androgens were used clinically in 105 female patients with either primary or recurrent inoperable mammary cancer who were, with few exceptions, ambulatory when first treated. Of this group, 55 have died of cancer and all survivors have evidence of persistent disease. Hence, the results were analyzed on the basis of temporary objective and subjective changes which occurred during one to twenty-four months' observation. In addition, various laboratory studies were made and analyzed in an attempt to evaluate the clinical changes which were observed. For various reasons, 44 patients were treated for less than one month. Since data on these patients were incomplete, they were excluded from this report. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Both Ulrich¹ and Loeser² in 1939 drew attention to the possible usefulness of androgens in the treatment of mammary cancer in the human female. Farrow and Woodard³ in 1942 observed subjective, but no