REGRESSION OF RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS TO A COMBINED TAMOXIFEN AND STEROID-THERAPY

Background: Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis is characterized by pr oliferation and fibrosis of retroperitoneal tissue. It is complicated by obstruction and encasement of retroperitoneal structures. Case Repo rt: We describe two female patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fi brosis. Both had to undergo lateralization of the ureter because of ur eteral obstruction. Also both patients developed thrombosis of the inf erior vena cava resp. the common iliac vein. Because of the eventful c ourse of the disease a combined tamoxifen and steroid therapy was star ted. Hereafter there was a marked regression of the retroperitoneal fi brotic masses and the previous inflammatory signs disappeared. Conclus ion: Tamoxifen seems to be effective in the treatment of idiopathic re troperitoneal fibrosis by inducing a regression of the fibrotic masses . Especially in patients with continuous activity of the disease we re commend an additional steroid therapy to prevent a regeneration of the fibrosis.