Hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia after long-term use of danazol for endometriosis: a case report

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A hepatocellular adenoma was found in a patient with endometriosis after 14 years of danazol treatment, necessitating regular monitoring for early tumor detection.

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This paper is a case report of a patient with endometriosis who developed a hepatocellular adenoma after 14 years of long-term danazol therapy, an agent described as a pituitary gonadotropin inhibitor with weak androgenic effects. The tumor was not initially suspected based on clinical signs, but was detected using ultrasonography and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. The authors note that danazol has been rarely associated with primary liver tumors compared with other anabolic steroids and recommend regular ultrasonography when long-term therapy is required for monitoring and early tumor detection, with the main limitation being the evidence is based on a single patient case. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reports hepatocellular adenoma developing after prolonged danazol treatment used for endometriosis.

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Abstract

Danazol, an inhibitor of pituitary gonadotropin with weak androgenic effect, is currently being used for the treatment of endometriosis. In contrast to other C17 alkylated anabolic steroids, it has been rarely associated with the occurrence of primary liver tumors. We present the case of a patient with endometriosis in whom a hepatocellular adenoma was discovered after 14 years of treatment with danazol for endometriosis. The patient showed no clinical signs of a liver tumor and it was only detected by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When long-term danazol therapy is required, regular ultrasonography for monitoring and early tumor detection is recommended.
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Abstract. Danazol, an inhibitor of pituitary gonadotropin with weak androgenic effect, is currently being used for the treatment of endometriosis. In contrast to other C17 alkylated anabolic steroids, it has been rarely associated with the occurrence of primary liver tumors. We present the case of a patient with endometriosis in whom a hepatocellular adenoma was discovered after 14 years of treatment with danazol for endometriosis. The patient showed no clinical signs of a liver tumor and it was only detected by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When long-term danazol therapy is required, regular ultrasonography for monitoring and early tumor detection is recommended. Access this article We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly. Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem. 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Hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia after long-term use of danazol for endometriosis: a case report. Arch Gynecol Obstet 269, 290–293 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-002-0435-z Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-002-0435-z

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Adenoma, Liver Cell Danazol Endometriosis Estrogen Antagonists Liver Neoplasms Adenoma, Liver Cell Adenoma, Liver Cell Adenoma, Liver Cell Adenoma, Liver Cell Adult Danazol Danazol Diagnosis, Differential Drug Administration Schedule Endometriosis Estrogen Antagonists Estrogen Antagonists Female Humans Hyperplasia

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