Efficacy of Megestrol Acetate (Megace) in the Treatment of Patients With Early Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

Zahra Eftekhar, Narges Izadi-Mood, Fariba Yarandi, Hadi Shojaei, Zahra Rezaei, Saeedeh Mohagheghi
2009 International Journal of Gynecological Cancer  
There are therapeutic dilemmas regarding fertility-preserving treatment among young women with well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with stage IA well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma were enrolled in a prospective study. The treatment initiated with 160 mg/d of megestrol acetate. The patients underwent dilatation and curettage and hysteroscopy after 3 months, and in cases of normal pathology, the therapy continued for another 3-month
more » ... iod. In patients who did not respond to treatment, the dosage of the drug was doubled (320 mg/d), and the therapy continued for another 3 months. At the second time, patients who did not respond to treatment were recommended for hysterectomy, and in patients who responded to treatment, an additional 3 months of treatment with megestrol acetate (320 mg/d) was administered. Results: Our results showed a response rate of 85.71% (18 patients), and 3 patients underwent hysterectomy. The mean (SD) treatment duration was 8.85 (2.00) months (range, 6Y12 months). The response to therapy was observed in 5 patients (27.78%) with a dosage of 160 mg/d, and the remaining patients with 320 mg/d. Pregnancy occurred in 5 patients (27.78%). Recurrence happened in 3 (16.67%) of 18 patients who responded to treatment who did not give a permit to undergo hysterectomy and received medication again. Two (66.67%) of these patients experienced remission again, whereas the other one was candidate for hysterectomy. Conclusions: The results of this study show that, when an initial response is not achieved or when disease recurs, use of 320 mg/d seems to be associated with a better therapeutic response. Furthermore, serious complications were not observed with this dosage.
doi:10.1111/igc.0b013e31819c5372 pmid:19396003 fatcat:xfevzlkho5ccvkhp7azalr4fju