HEPATIC-TUMORS DURING ANDROGEN THERAPY IN FANCONI-ANEMIA

The occurrence of liver tumours in the course of Fanconi anaemia (FA) has been well documented. We present a case, review the literature and conclude that androgen therapy would increase the risk of developing tumours, most of which appear to be benign (adenomas or peliosis) and androgen-dependent, generally decreasing in size after cessation of tr eatment. Survival of patients is poor, mostly because of the rapid evo lution of untreated FA, rather than rupture or degeneration of the tum our. In the absence of an allogenic bone marrow transplantation, admin istration of haematopoietic growth factors might be effective. As a pr eventive measure, other types of unsubstituted androgens may be used.