International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
LYNOESTRENOL
For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.
VOL.: 21 (1979) (p. 407)
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
Lynoestrenol was tested by oral administration in mice and rats, alone
or in combination with mestranol. It did not increase the incidence of
tumours.
5.2 Human data
No case reports or epidemiological studies on lynoestrenol alone were
available to the Working Group. Epidemiological studies on steroid
hormones used in oestrogen-progestin oral contraceptive preparations have been summarized
in the section, 'Oestrogens and Progestins in Relation to Human Cancer'.
5.3 Evaluation
No evaluation of the carcinogenicity of lynoestrenol could be made. In
humans, oral contraceptives containing oestrogens in combination with
progestins have been related causally to an increased incidence of
benign liver adenomas and a decreased incidence of benign breast
disease.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (Progestins;
combined oral contraceptives)
Last updated: 7 April 1998