Oestrogen as a reticuloendothelial stimulant in patients with cancer

Stimulation of reticuloendothelial activity may benefit patients with cancer. Oestrogenic compounds are known to stimulate reticuloendothelial phagocytic activity in animals and a similar effect is demonstrated in patients.The depression of reticuloendothelial phagocytic activity which follows radiotheraphy in the treatment of cancer can be prevented by the simultaneous administration of stilboestrol. Possibly this could be associated with a more favourable response to therapy, and a controlled trial is needed to establish this.