[Danazol in treatment of cystic mastopathy]

Numerous endocrine disorders may cause benign breast diseases, such as increased oestrogen and prolactin, decreased progesterone. The antigonadotropic effects of Danazol counteract these hormonal changes. It has been used for a few years in the treatment of benign breast diseases at a dosage of 200-800 mg daily. Treatment of benign breast cysts represents a special problem--after puncture fluid builds up again very often after a short while. In a randomized study we demonstrate the positive effects of Danazol, such as reduction of cyst diameter and prevention of recurrence after puncture. Cysts with a diameter of more than 20 mm were punctured. The test group was treated with 400 mg Danazol daily; the control group was treated conventionally with prolactin antagonist and progesterone We treated 26 patients with Danazol over a 3 months period. In the control group we observed more recurrences after puncture than in the Danazol group. Danazol also proved effective in the reduction of cyst diameter in women with cysts under 20 mm in diameter which had not been punctured. Tolerance of Danazol was good; side effects were cycle irregularities and weight gain.