Flutamide-induced regression of angiofibroma

Laryngoscope. 1992 Jun;102(6):641-4. doi: 10.1288/00005537-199206000-00009.

Abstract

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) appears to be an endocrine-responsive tumor. This concept was tested in five young men with JNA by treating them with a testosterone receptor blocker (flutamide) for 6 weeks preoperatively. Tumor size was evaluated by axial computed tomography both before and after flutamide therapy. Four of the five patients had an average tumor shrinkage of 44%. The patients tolerated the drug well, and the serum testosterone levels 2 or more years posttherapy were normal. This pilot study demonstrate that preoperative hormonal pharmacoreduction of JNA is a feasible adjunct to surgical therapy that offers the possibility of reduced blood loss. However, the authors believe that a formal clinical trial of this treatment approach is warranted and should be done before widespread adoption of this agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Flutamide / therapeutic use*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / chemistry
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / drug therapy*
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / pathology
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pilot Projects
  • Premedication
  • Receptors, Androgen / analysis
  • Remission Induction
  • Testosterone / analysis

Substances

  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Testosterone
  • Flutamide