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International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

DIENOESTROL

VOL.: 21 (1979) (p. 161)

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

(N.B. - This section should be read in conjunction with the General Remarks on Sex Hormones and with the General Conclusions on Sex Hormones.)

5.1 Experimental data

Dienoestrol was tested in female guinea-pigs by subcutaneous injection and in female mice by intravaginal administration. Although pointing to the induction of 'uterine tumours' in guinea-pigs and ovarian tumours in mice, these experiments were insufficient to evaluate the carcinogenicity of this compound.

5.2 Human data

No case reports or epidemiological studies on dienoestrol alone were available to the Working Group. Case reports and epidemiological studies on steroid hormones used in oestrogen treatment have been summarized in the section, 'Oestrogens and Progestins in Relation to Human Cancer'.

5.3 Evaluation

The available experimental data are insufficient to evaluate the carcinogenicity of dienoestrol in animals. Studies in humans strongly suggest that the administration of oestrogens is causally related to an increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma; there is no evidence that dienoestrol is different from other oestrogens in this respect.

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (Nonsteroidal oestrogens)

Last updated: 6 April 1998 






























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