GOSERELIN IN PREMENOPAUSAL ADVANCED BREAST-CANCER - CLINICAL AND ENDOCRINE EVALUATION OF RESPONSIVE PATIENTS

Medical ovariectomy with goserelin is an alternative to surgical oopho rectomy. To evaluate the relationship between tumor regression and end ocrine changes induced by therapy, 40 premenopausal patients with adva nced breast cancer were given 3.6 mg of goserelin subcutaneously fortn ightly for the first 4 doses and every 28 days thereafter. We have mad e a particular analysis of the clinical and endocrine profile of respo nsive patients. Objective responses were observed in 17 of the 38 eval uable patients (45%), 6 cases achieving complete remission. Serum estr adiol was suppressed in castrated women, although there was a tendency towards an increase in serum follicle-stimulating hormone over time. No statistically significant difference was observed in the hormonal p rofiles of patients experiencing a complete or partial response. Our e xperience confirms that goserelin is as effective as oophorectomy and that there is a clear correspondence between clinical response and dru g-induced estrogen suppression.