AMINOGLUTETHIMIDE IN ADVANCED BREAST CARCINOMA

In the years 1983-1991 inclusive, 59 cases of breast carcinoma, with locoregional or distant relapse were treated with aminoglutethimide. The cases were either postmenopausal or previously castrated. Median age was 51 (30-87) years. Aminoglutethimide was given for bone metastasis in 43, locoregional relapse in 14, three days up to 500 mg b.d. with 1.5 mg b.d. dexamethasone. In 43 patients aminoglutethimide was given concurrently with palliative irradiation to the site of relapse. Response was not assesed in those patients. Time to progression was analysed in all of the patients except the 3 patients whose therapy was stopped due to side effects. In 23 patients who had aminoglutethimide as the sole treatment modality, 17 had clinical response and 4 had stable disease. Median time to progression was 8 (2-65) months in 56 cases. Thirty-eight patients (64.4%) had transient side effects at the beginning. Only 3 patients discontinued treatment due to side effects. Aminogluethimide is an effective hormonal agent in advanced breast carcinoma.