Geriatric malignancies and their hormonal aspects

Malignant disease of the female reproductive organs accounts for over 11,000 deaths annually in the United States in patients over 65 years of age. Hormonal treatment is being used in some cases in conjunction with more conventional methods of treatment. Synthetic progesterone is used in the palliation of patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. A significant increase in the incidence of ovarian cortical stromal hyperplasia, obesity, diabetes and hypertension is found in these patients. For treatment of carcinoma of the ovary, a massive dose of an experimental progesterone agent, dimethylprogesterone (NSC-123018) is being tested in a group study. The treatment is used only for patients for whom conventional therapy has been unsuccessful. Although a few patients have shown remission, it is too early for conclusive results. Patients with advanced breast cancer and estradiol receptors in their tissue may show a favorable clinical response to hormonal therapy in 40-60% of cases. Patients lacking estrogen receptors have only a minimal chance of responding to hormonal therapy.