The results of diethylstilboestrol therapy for recurrent and metastatic carcinoma of the male breast.

A retrospective survey has been made of 58 patients with recurrent and advanced male breast cancer treated with oral diethylstilboestrol. Fifty-five patients were suitable for assessment. Fourteen patients had an objective response and 7 had a partial response giving a total response of 21/55 patients (38%). The median remission for the objective responders was 7 years. Three patients are alive and free of disease; one has now been in remission for 13 years. It is suggested that diethylstilboestrol is a useful treatment in patients with soft tissue disease (breast, chest wall and/or lymph nodes).