Dimethisterone (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 21, 1979)

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

DIMETHISTERONE

VOL.: 21 (1979) (p. 377)

5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

(N.B. - This section should be read in conjunction with the General Remarks on Sex Hormones and with the General Conclusions on Sex Hormones.)

5.1 Experimental data

Dimethisterone was tested in dogs in combination with ethinyloestradiol by oral administration. No increase in incidence of mammary tumours was found.

5.2 Human data

No case reports or epidemiological studies on dimethisterone alone were available to the Working Group. Epidemiological studies on steroid hormones used in oestrogen-progestin oral contraceptive preparations have been summarized in the section, 'Oestrogens and Progestins in Relation to Human Cancer'.

5.3 Evaluation

Owing to the lack of experimental and human data on dimethisterone alone, no evaluation of the carcinogenicity of dimethisterone could be made. In humans, oral contraceptives containing oestrogens in combination with progestins have been related causally to an increased incidence of benign liver adenomas and a decreased incidence of benign breast disease.

Previous evaluation: Vol. 6 (1974)

Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (Progestins)

Last updated: 6 April 1998





























    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Dimethisterone (IARC Summary & Evaluation, Volume 6, 1974)