Abstract

Fibrocystic disease, unilateral or bilateral, is a common problem found in women breasts. Successful treatment using tamoxifen (antiestrogen) and danazol (antiandrogen) has been used. We compared the efficacy of tamoxifen and danazol in the treatment of fibrocystic disease. We reviewed the clinical records of patients with fibrocystic disease presenting to the Department of Surgery, University of Shahid Beheshti, between August, 2001 and September, 2005. Medical treatment with either tamoxifen (20 mg/d) or danazol (400 mg/d) was offered and continued until a static response was achieved. The treatment response was compared. Sixty-eight patients with fibrocystic disease were seen in the breast clinic. The median age was 39.5 years (range, 13 - 82), with a median duration of symptoms of 3 months (range, 1 - 90). Twenty-three patients were treated with tamoxifen and 20 with danazol. Complete resolution of the fibrocystic disease was recorded in 18 patients (78.2%) treated with tamoxifen, whereas only 8 patients (40%) in the danazol group had complete resolution. Five patients, all from the danazol group, developed recurrence of disease. Hormonal manipulation is effective in the treatment of patients with fibrocystic disease. Although the effect is more marked for tamoxifen compared with danazol, the relapse rate is higher for danazol. 

Key words: Tamoxifen, danazol, fibrocystic disease.