DRUG-TREATMENT RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS

During the last 10 years drug treatment of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF) has gained increasing importance as surgical measures alone are fraught with recurrence rates of about 50%. Prednisone in an initial dosage of 40-50 mg/day and 5-10 mg/day thereafter is the undi sputed drug of choice. Additional administration of azathioprin (50 mg /day) and aldosterone (300 mg/day) has been questioned since its effic acy has not been proven. Recent reports of tamoxifen as a successful d rug (20 mg/day) are as yet too rare to be evaluated. A close follow-up is warranted to determine when treatment should be terminated either due to disease regression or cortison side effects.