Experience with danazol in the treatment of advanced breast cancer

Danazol, a known effective agent for the treatment of benign breast disease and in endometriosis, was used in cases of advanced breast cancer with metastasis in bone, lung or in soft tissues. Out of 17 patients who received danazol, only 4 (23%) responded well. Postmenopausal patients responded better than premenopausal. Three out of the 4 responder received full course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy prior to danazol treatment. Out of the 13 non-responders, treatment could not be continued in 10 patients, either due to inability to meet up with the recurrent expenses of the cost of drugs or the patient was lost to follow-up or due to death. The rest 3 patients did not show any response at all to this drug, among them 2 were premenopausal.